Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-10-03

2. Another plat was burned over
like the first, and in addition thoroughly
salted." 3. "A plat was soaked down
to The hardpan three times with strong
brine. The thistles were completely
destroyed in all cases.
On the third soil, the roots OF the
thistles penetrated to the depth of three
feet, which was down to ground water
A plat was plowed deeply six times
during the FIVE months of April to Aug
ust But in September the thistles
were more vigorous than ever. The
next year this plat was planted with
corn about May Goth. The corn was
plowed and hoed in June, July and
August, and hoed in September, but in
October the thistles were more vigor-
Gus than at any other previous time. A
second plat was burned all over with
log heaps. In month the thistles were
up through the burned ground as Wig
orous as ever. A third plat was burned
over like the second, and in addition
sailed thoroughly three times, but in
month the thistles ilourished as if they
had not been molested.
The next year the three plats men,
toned above were sown with red top
grass seed, and wherever the grass be-
came established the thistles were chok-
ed out.
Tie red top sward was tried on up
lana, but failed 10 destroy The thistles.
Timothy and clover were also tried on
the bottom lands, but they likewise
failed.
The above detailed experiments were
repeated every year until 1845 with
similar results. In experiments made
on poor, sandy loans, the thistles were
readily killed by blowing. On rich,
sandy loans they were choked out by
sowing the land to clover.
From careful study of his own and
other experiments, Mr.. Stevens deduced
the following conclusions:
Whatever will effectually exclude
the plant from the light and air will de-
stroy il. This may be done by blowing,
in some soils, and in others by close
grass sod Flowing if repeated fire.
quently in soils where the root does
not descend beyond the reach of the
blowing, will, in dry seasons,
always destroy the thistle, and often in
moist ones In soils which are light,
deep, rich, friable, and of course per-
meable 10 the air, and are in some
measure always moist, blowing will
always fail.
whenever dense sod can be formed,
the thistle may be destroyed by seeding.
The grasses wherever they are adapted
to the purpose, will be found the easiest
means of destruction; although not SD
rapid as blowing, hoeing, sailing or
burning, where these latter are avail
able.
In all uplands, whore the soil of
depth admitting the root TO be reached
and effected in its whole extent by the
pillow, hoe, fire or salt, the thistle may
be destroyed by these means, and they
will be found tho most rapid ones.
'In all bottom lands where the root
descends deep anu the soil permits
access of air, neither the pillow, hoe, fire
nor salt will destroy the thistle; here
the grasses should be applied, and will
be found tho best destroyers.
Moving will destroy those parts of
the thistle which have thrown out flow
ering stalks; and will not in the least
affect those which have not. Moving
should take place when the plant is in
| bloom.
Whatever limits the thorough APP
plication of the means of destruction,
will proportionally diminish success.
| Hence it will be found difficult, in very
strong grounds, ever to eradicate the
thstle the pillow cannot efiectually reach
its roots, and such ground is rarely q
good grass bearer. Salt and sheep. with
the scythe, will be found best for stony
grounds. In grounds filled with stumps
where the'soil is rich and will grow a
dense sod, the grasses will be best, and
in such the pillow should not be used, as
il will not effectually reach all the roots.
Fences that obstruct the application of
the pillow or hoe should be removed.
''If it be desirable to destroy the
thistle by the grasses, it will be found
best TO make the land rich by manure.
This will force the grass, and enable it
more readily, by vigorous growth, to
kin the plant. And in the application
of all remedies, care should be taken to
reduce the soil, by proper cultivation.
to fine filth, that all the seeds of the
thistle in the ground may terminate,
and not lie dormant. The seed is very
hardy, and escapes all the ordinary
means of reaching the plant, except
fire.
The only specific have found mem
toned in later years, not considered by
Mr. Stevens, is the application of kero
sene oil to the roots after cutting. This
is said TO be effectual, and may prove
satisfactory in small patches.
The BURDOCK.