The Dickinson press., 1893-11-04
aussIAN CACTUS.
i'rcas nnlletln From, the Government
Agricultural Station for North Da-

Ircas Nnlletin From the Government
Agricultural Station for North Da-
k0tR.
Salsola kali, a tragus. ID. C.
This weed is rapidly becoming a
most pernicious pest in this state. As
it stands TO day it occupies, to the en-
clusion Of all other plants. about one
third Of the cultivated land Of three
counties, and is otherwise quite gener-
ally distributed throughout the counties
OF Dickey, Sargent, la Moure. Mcln-
tosh. Ransom, Logan and parts OF
Richland and EmmonS. 1t is to be
found i'll small patches in most locali-
ties east of the Missouri river and
south Of the Northern Pacific railway.
Ihi article is written as Il warning
to those who do not know of the weed
by actual contact. but who, later, will
have to deal with it upon an extensive
scale, on their w farms, unless great
Vigilance is very SOun assumed and Il
concerted effort made to check its dis
tribution:
or it's damaging capabilities 1 need
Gully note that entire fields Of large area
may be seen into which it would be ex-
IRENE cruelty to force Il team. because
OF the large size, density and thorny
nature of the brush. Within the area
of its distribution in South Dakota
CmOSt of that portion know as the
James River Valley many farms are
being abandoned, the cactus having
taken full possession.
From Lisbon to Edgeley and south
ward from these two points there may
be seen many fields which in the spring
gave promise Of a good yield Of wheat.
AT this date the ground is occupied by
a solid mass of cactus brush; and there
was no harvest. Three years ago farm
ers In that region We're hardly aware
of the existence of such q weed, but
were at times interested in Il few stray
ones tumbling across the prairie. Six
teen years ago the weed did not exist
in the Dakotas; vet in 1852 govern
ment officials estimated the damages
upon wheat land alone as being ST.
100000. The area Of distribution in the
two states is now about 10000 square
miles.
The weed is not a cactus or a thistle,
but is commonly named Russian cac-
tus and Russian thistle because of its
origin and thorny nature. 1t is Il near
relative Of the native tumble weed
(Amaranthus albus ~ and like it scat
tiers its seed pr'ncip"liy by tumbling be-
fore the wind. Its size varies, accord
ingly us it is or is not crowded in Its
growth, from slight stiff sprigs, three
to six inches high to q dense, much
b%ranched, harsh, thorny, rounded
bunch, three to six feet in diameter.
1t is delicate and succulent while young,
but as it nears maturity the branches
become hard ard stiff and bear many
small rose colored flowers. The latter
are arranged alternately about one
fourth of an inch apart, and are en-
closed by three short stiff, thorn-like
leaflets. Before blacllencd by frost the
stems are striped with red. Besides
dropping out, as the weed tumbleS
along, the individual seeds may be
blown short distances because Of the
slight wings formed by the dried BIOS
som parts in which each is enclosed.
Points to Keep in Mind-This weed
grows only from the seed.
Only weeds which have been allowed
to reach large size ever tumble. These
are, in most part, found only in waste
places, or improperly cultivated spots,
such as margins of wheat fields. old
fire breaks, gopher knobs, etc. a. good
fence will stop most Of these.
At any time when weeds are mature
enough TO break loose of their cwn
accord they can be collected and
burned.
When young, the plant is eaten greed
lily by sheep and cattle.
The weed perishes Immediately by
being uprootcd or cut off ut the base;
anG it's seeds are short lived. When
growing in small form because Of its
density upon the ground. it m,y be
turned under by the pillow in early
August. and thus in most parts de-
stroycl; or If left until mature there
will be a time late in the fall when it
together with the stubbie and other
weeds may be cleared from the land by
fire.
1t does not grow upon the native
prairie sod. ave where there are hare
spots. During the month Of August q
comparatively small force Of worllmcn
would suffice 10 destroy I'LL weeds upon
road margins and the wild lands of
the worst infested township in the
state.
The weed natures its seed but slow
ly, so that il v%igilantly destroyed dur
ing the early portion of the season, frost
will very effectually destroy the later
PLANTS.
Aside from its tumbling capacities
this weed possesses no quality which
would make 1t hard to exterminate
under Il careful system of farming and
road management.
To summarize, this weed is spread.
ing more rapidly, perhaps, than any
heretofore known, and, under the pres
en-. lm,Sc attention which it is receiv-
ing, will soDn cause an enormous
amount Ut damage throughout tie state.
Wler Gnce it las generally taken los-
sessinL of q large area OF laui only
hare tasnrrs will keep it i'll elleck.
There ar. however, no good reasons
Why It should be allowed t colyinu-
. ali; encrnach upon new land.
S,.ggcstions-Sow no small grain
that is not thoroughly clean from weed
seeds The seed Of this plant is IS
: large as Il mustard seed. ami may nc
>r.rally cn.)cd, in form like Il: snail
snail shell.
/, A good wire fence is Of mllcn I'D
vantage.
I,o not break up any more Of tho III
! tive G than yOu can tend anu FeeI
! clean.
Put all land sown to wheat or small
, grain in such condition that the croI
may have the best possible start Of the
: weed.
: Do not allow scattering weeds Il
reach tumbling size. Where it 1!
! abundant NOW. rake and stack as yo,
!, would hay until the time comes whe1
Won can burn it.