The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-19
A PEnNIclous WEED.
Farms OF North Dakota Threatened by
the Russian Cactus.

the Russian Cactus.
Especial Correspondence
LA INQUIRE, n. d., Dec. '.-Conrress
will undoubtedly soon be asked to an
proprlate good round number of Amer
lean dollars to aid the farmers of North
Dakota i'll their efforts to save their
farms from vagrant weed commonly
called the Russian cactus. Among bot.
anists the weed is known as Salsola kali
var. tragus. 1t is supposed to be u near
relative OF the native tremble weed (Am-
aranthus albus), and it scatters its seed
principally by trembling before the wind.
This weed is probably the most for
midable pest that the farmer in any part
OF the United States has to contend with.
ana Ill spite of their efforts to rid tho
land of it the weed has made steady and
rapid ~roSress until many families in
Bonhonme county, S. D., have been
compelled to abandon their farms to it.
1t was III that county that the weed
first made its appearance in this country
about three years ago. and it is the belief
that 1t was imported from Russia in flax
seed. The weed compelled colony of Rus
slams to leave the county, and they went
to Glendale. n. d. The cars in which
they ana their effects were TRANSPORTED
were partially filled with flax, and in
this way the seed of the vagrant of tho
field was brought north In two years
time 1t had gained firm foothold Last
year 1t was estimated that the weed had
damaged the wheat crop $1,000 900. and
the present year the injury is fixed at
double that amount.
The size of the weed varies according
to the opportunity it has for growing
III crowded, 1T will run up in small, stiff
sprlgs from 10 & inches high. If given
plenty OF room it forms branchv.
harsh, thorny, rounded mass, bursting
with needlelikc spikes and covering an
area OF ground 6 feet i'll diameter. 1t is
tender and succulcnt when young. but rs
1t grows old it becomes hard and stiff.
In the face of this advancing enemy
the farmer seems helpless to save him.
self. IL Is possible to burn it only at
that season OF the year when it has be-
come matured and dry, and as that is
the time when the vast wheatiields are
ready for the harvester, the farmer men
aces his grain when he strikes the fire
The only successful method of stoppinr
the self sowing of the seed, yet hit upon.
Is the planting of Il row of sunfowers
around each field. The stalks stand close
ly together and prevent the weed from
travelling over the ground incloscd by
them. To uproot the weed by blowing it
up is out of the question: for its prick is
so painful that horses refuse to travel
in it.
"A law has been enacted III each state
requiring the farmers to destroy the
weed, but the measure is useless one.
as the farmers have no way of meeting
its requirements. 1t is not improbable
that this weed will march like destroy
ing angel through the entire wheat grow
ing territory in the United States.
The farmers have organized to DESTROY
the weed and will send memorial to
the present congress asking financial aid.
1t looks now as if the farmers would I'M
dertake to build a double line of fence
across the state. The weed would drift
against the fence and could be gathered
and burned. JIG. RlSpEII