xiv 



AVEEDS. 



to be familiar with the manner of growth, and the mode of propagation 

 of a weed, as it is to be with that of an useful plant. A plant that 

 spreads itself entirely by the seed must, of course, be dilferently treated 

 from one that multiplies by the root also, whether we would propagate 

 or destroy. 



A sound constitution, established by a proper regard to the conditions of 

 health, is not only the best preventive to the attacks of disease, but much 

 faciltates recovery, if this be contracted ; in like manner thorough culture 

 and good farming ensures a sort of general exemption from the pesti- 

 lence of weeds, and renders easy the subjugation of those which happen 

 to make their way into'the grounds. In agriculture as in morals, idleness 

 is the mother of vice, and if the ground be not occupied with something 

 good, there will be a plenty of the opposite character to take its place. 

 Possession is a great advantage in other matters than those of the law, 

 and a plant, whether useful or troublesome, when once fully established 

 is not disposed to yield without an argument. " That learned and saga- 

 cious observer of Nature — the late professor De Oandolle — ^remarks, 

 that * all the plants of a country, all those of any given place, are in a 

 state of war, in relation to each other. All are endowed with means, 

 more or less efficacious, of reproduction and nutrition. Those which first 

 establish themselves accidentally, in a given locality, have a tendency^ 

 from the mere fact that they already occupy the space, to exclude other 

 species from it : the largest ones smother the smallest ones ; the longest 

 lived ones supersede those of shorter duration ; the most fruitful gradu- 

 ally take possession of the space which would otherwise have been occu- 

 pied by those which multiply more slowly.' The farmer, therefore, should 

 avail himself of this principle, and aid the more valuable plants in their 

 struggle to choke down or expel the worthless." (Ed. 1.) 



Weeds are introduced upon a farm in a variety of ways. Many have 

 their seeds sown with those of the crops ; this is particularly the case 

 where the seeds of the weeds and of the grain are so nearly alike in size 

 that their separation is difficult. Proper care in procuring and preserv. 

 ing clean seed will often save much future trouble and vexation. The 

 observing farmer will notice the means which nature has provided for the 

 scattering of seeds, and he will find that the most pernicious weeds seem 

 to have been especially furnished with contrivances to facilitate their 

 dispersion. The Clot-bur, Beggar's Lice, and others, have barbs or 



