Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1876 — Roadside Weeds. [ARTICLE]

Roadside Weeds.

Fanning is only gardening on a more extended scale, ana the same principles, as regards the care and culture of plants, are applicable to both. More than this, neatness in appearance, which is generally considered indispensable in gardening, should be extened to the farm as far as practicable. The good gardener knows the importance of keeping walks and roads free from weeds and rubbish, and he usually begins his labors by strict attention to these necessary but unprofitable adjuncts of a fine garden or ornamental grounds. It is an old saying that a had hat will overshadow an otherwise fine suit of clothes, and the same is true in regard to garden walks and roads, for they are the first things seen on entering and the last in going out, and the general impression left upon the mind depends much upon the appearance. The sume is true to a great extent with the public roads rpnning through or alongside a farm; and the traveller in passing cannot help forming an opinion of the owners from the condition in which the thoroughfares are kept. In spring and fall he is likely to pay most attention to mud holes and the general condition of the road bed; but in summer the presence or absence of weeds and brush cannot fail to attract his notice. Neat and tidy farmers—and perhaps we Should make the term a little stronger by saying ftli good fanners—pay as much attention to the roffllßldfi TfSCys as they do to those coming in their fields. Permitting noxious weeds to ripen their seeds in the public highways is far too generally practiced, and is a public nuisance which should be abated speedily. The seeds of these “public weeds” are often caught up by passing vehicles and distributed over the country. This is well known to eveiy farmer, ana still thousands Of patches of the vilest of weeds, snch as Canada thistles, clot-bur, and toad flsxarO allowed to grow undisturbed by the roadside year after year, adjacent to land owned by men of whom better things are naturally to he expected. It is worth in appearance all it costs to mow the roadsides and keep them clear of weeds; but in addition tho dissemination of noxious weed seeds makes a neglect of this practice a positive injury to the country for miles around, and it is at least a question worthy of discussion, if a man has * moral right to permit weed* likely to Injure tbe property of his neighbors to ripen their seeds without making** effort to prevent it.—if. Y. tin*-.