vided they are not allowed to seed. Of course, there are weeds that 
should never be given a moment's quarter. 
Couch- Couch-grass, Docks and Nettles, all of which have strong roots, 
Grass ought to be removed at the first sign. It is often a difi5cult matter 
Docks and to free a garden from these pests. Remember that every Httle bit 
Nettles of the roots will grow. It is not of much use burying these, even 
deeply as they have a nasty habit of coming up again. By far the 
best plan is to turn the soil over to a depth of a foot and then pick 
out every bit of root you can see. These should be collected in a 
basket and taken away to some place for speedy burning. Make sure 
^ that such a weed as Couch-grass does not get half a chance to start 
growing anywhere, or it is sure to take it. This plan means work. 
but it will repay you in more ways than one. 
Annual The small annual weeds such as Groundsel, Chickweed, etc., 
Weeds which are in great evidence just now, may be simply hoed into the 
ground. It is important to do this before the seed is set. Weeds that 
are very close to cultivated plants are best pulled out by hand. In 
such positions deep hoeing would be likely to damage the roots of the 
legitimate crops. Weeds hoed in on otherwise vacant land help to 
improve the soil. On farms, green manures — crops of quick-growing 
things for plowing into the ground — are a recognized feature. Annual 
weeds, if they are dug before seeding time, form very good green 
manures. 
PERENNL4L Experiment has shown that the strongest growing perennial such 
Weeds as Dock dies after being cut down three times. The root stock 
simply cannot stand the strain of having to develop fresh stems and 
leaves. It is worth while bearing this in mind at a busy season. 
Cure for The Flower Grower has recently printed a cure for Iris borer which 
Iris Borer seems so simple and so effective that I am giving it in full. The Iris 
borer is one of a large number of larvae that bore into the stems and 
roots of plants. Usually each different plant has its own species of 
borer, though there are some that infest a variety of plants. The Iris 
borer is fond of almost any species of Iris as well as closely related 
plants like the Blackberry Hly. 
The mature insect lays its eggs late in the autumn on the old 
leaves of the Iris. In spring these hatch out and the larva bores down 
through the sheaf of leaves and soon estabhshes itseH in the root stock 
where it is almost impossible to reach. Measures directed toward 
exterminating the borer, therefore, must be taken before the insect 
has gained access to the root stock. The best remedy is to burn over 
the Iris beds in the early spring. It does not need severe burning — 
just rake a thin cover of dead weeds over the Iris when the wind is 
right and this will settle the borer. 
The last time I reset my Iris, I did so because the borers had 
destroyed several varieties that I valued. Many others were badly 
48 
