Brookings register. (Brookings, S.D.) 1890-1894, 1893-11-17
The Russian Thistle.

The Russian Thistle.
Press Bulletin.
From the experiences of the past
it seems certain that the only way OF
Kidding the country of this pest is by
concerted action throughout the af-
fected region. In spite Of occasional
checks the weed has continued to
spread until half of South Dakota, a
large area in North Dakota, and more
or less Of Minnesota and Nebraska are
already thoroughly infested or are in
a far way to become so. 1t is prac-
tically useless for man to try to keep
his farm free if his neighbOr'S farm is
allowed to remain a source of infec-
ton. Abandoned fields, fire breaks,
hedge-rOwS, dried up lake beds, and
railroad cuts and embankmentS all
help TO produce an abundance of seed.
Some way should be devised whereby
these places could be kept clean.
Many farmers are unable, for lack of
means or otherwise, to care for their
fields properly. Some are careless
and allowed the weed to get such
start that it seems hopeless task TO
gain control again.
Professor HaveS, of the Minnesota
experiment station. has advanced
some good, practical ideas on the sub
ject. Let the matter be taken up by
the general government and by the
state governments as well. Let
means be furnished to get the WORK
we'll under way or at least allow the
farmers to get control OF the weed.
Then have a law and enforce it, CIV
ing the proper authorities power 10
clean up waste places, and farmers
npppSSHrV
Various methods of raising the neceS-
sary funds have been suggested.
The one thing absolutely essential
is IMMEDIATE ACTION. The longer 1t
is delayed the greater will be the ultl-
mate expense and trouble.
AS an illustration of the spread OF
the weed. mention may be made OF
its progress in BrOOkingS county. TWO
years ago a few plants were found
along the railroad at Nolga, a few at
Brookings. and a few at OakWood
lakes. Last year was an unfayoraDie
wear for the growth of the weed and
it attracted but little attention.
Many farmers said that it would not
grow in the Sioux valley on account
Of the moisture. This summer, how
ever, the weed appeared in great guam
titles in the vicinity Of NOlga and be-
tween there and OakwoOd, many
graintields were so badly infested as
to render harvesting very disagreeable.
The roadsideS in many places are
lined with the prickly, unsightly
weeds. Enough seed has been pro-
duced to SOW the entire county. For
tunately the timber along the river
will protect the land east of 1T In
measure. Ever since the first ap-
pearance of the weed about Brooklngs
great pains have been taken to de-
Stroy it wherever and whenever found.
Let the farmers, and all others IN
terested in the welfare of our agrl-
cultural industries agitate the matter.
| Lay it before our congressman Get
them to act this coming session. Let
the farmers unite and have everything
in readiness for vigorous campaign
all along the line this coming season.
I Burn all the weeds possible. Diversity
the farming. Keep every weed from
going to seed. The weed is an annual
and our experience has been that the
seeds are not lOnglived. Two years OF
thorough cultivation ought to leave
field practically clean. North Dakqta
has already started the work. Let us
| follow.
The one redeeming feature OF the
weed is that it can be used for forage
when properly cut and cured. TO
grow it, however, is like playing WIN
| tire-dangerOuS business.