THE COST OF WEEDS.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XX, Issue 2072, 26 July 1899, Page 1

THE COST OF WEEDS.

How many persons hare considered the actual annual cost to them of growing weeds ? In the first place, there is the room which they ta c up, and which cannot be occupied by a useless and a useful plant at the same timo. Then there is the plunt food which they tdke from the soil, and which jn the form of fertilisers has probably cost you hard cash, or which at any pate is actual value wbi'st ie remains m the soil. These weeds are au injury lo the growing crop} they ore m fierce competition with tho useful plants fur a living, and without your interference the weeds would get tho beet of the struggle nine times out of ten. Again, weeds use an enormous amount of water, and this at some seasons is as valuable m your soil-as fertilising elements. An acre of wild mustard, with ten plan's to the c qu:»re yard, has been proved capible of taking from the soil and' evaporating into the atmosphere over 20 tons of tfater (more thin 4,000 gill on?) daily. Lastly, think of the cost of separating the eeeds of noxious plants (weed*) from those of useful plan tsX the grain you wish to grow) What is the extra oo st of dressing grain i-i Au*tra'i a to the farmer, the sffedsunn, and -the mil cr f; caused by the presence of weed seeds P It is *ceriaiuly n big figure. The remedy is. cultivation. Stir the soil, kill the weeds and m doing f o preserve the moisture— not only that which the weeds would absorb, but also that which wou <i e>c«"pe by natural evaporation from a bird, sunbaked, unbroken surface, i f you must grow weeds, take this adrfce. Grow them by themselves, not m competition with the crop whwK you depend on for your profits ; and remember the old adage — " One year's seeding, seven year's wedding. '