The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-08-22

design and flavor sealed the mouths of
all the participants: and so the public
will never know the real inwardness
of the late snipe hunt, planned and exc
cuted for the diversion and edification
of the engineer-in-chief.
RUSSIAN THISTLE.
Something Must Be Done at ones-Ths Pest
Threatens the County Read.
EDITOR TRIBUNE-There has been
notice given of what is known as Rus
sian thistle 1 wish to say for the
benefit of all concerned, that it is not
only in the country but is spreading at
fearful rate, and my judgment is if
we ever expect to rid the country of it,
we should by united effort do it at
once. AS 1 do not believe it can be
done after this crop has gone to seed
and left to scatter. There are some, no
doubt, who will read this and think it
very unfortunate for upland farmers,
but who feel assured that they will
never be troubled with this so-called
thistle in Boise Valley. To all such l
venture this assertion: That if this
weed is permitted to grow, two years
from this fall, it will be beyond control;
and in less than ten years, will be a
worst pest than cookie burr, fox tail
and night shade combined. The Rus
sian thistle is not of the nature of
American thistles but closely resemble
what is known as careless or tumble
weed. When dry it has thorns as
sharp as grease wood. People who
claim to know say it is not only destruc-
tive to growing crops but will tear the
skin on horses legs if they are COM
PEELED to travel in it very much.
Judging from what have seen, l be-
lieve it will prove to be one of the
worst pests in the United States. 1t is
scattered all along the Phyllis ditch,
growing in the edge of the water or on
the dry ground equally we'll. l under
stand from farmers in that vicinity
that it is also growing along the Riden-
baugh ditch. 1t can be seen growing
in the hard road west of the the Ditch
Co.'S large farm, and judging from a
road view, their field north of railroad
track is pretty well seeded. When dry
it tears loose from the ground and is
carried down irrigation bitches or
blown over the country in all directions
by the wind, scattering seed wherever
it chance to 60. My candid belief is,
if this weed is permitted to grow un-
molested, that it will be carried by
streams and rivers and will seed their
banks from here to the Pacific coast.
If there are any who think am over
drawing, let them call around and l
can show them enough in an hour to
convince the most skeptical. l am not
farming, nor do own lands, but have
given you what l consider to be facts.
that our people may not hereafter say
they knew nothing about it until it got
beyond their control. This matter
should receive the immediate attention
of all, from the fact that the agricul-
tural interest is not alone the interest
of the farmer but is the very basis on
which almost every other industry and
business rests. l would suggest the
propriety of the county commissioners
Ada and Canyon counties taking this
matter in hand by making an order for
all interested to turn out at certain
time, dividing the. work into sections
along said bitches, and not only this,
but to appropriate money from the
county treasures as the last resort if
it be necessary. l known it will be
said this is outside their Jurisdiction.
l claim it is not, from the fact this
matter comes under head of emergency,
and it seems to me, the law not partic-
ularly specifying this work for commits
sioners. should not bar them from act
ing in this matter. It seems their oath
of Office covers the entire ground in as
much as they are qualified to subserve
the best interests of the citizens of their
respective counties. Let this be as it
may if they act in this matter it will
be a protection, and safeguard to the
best interests of these counties and
there is no question but their acts
would be approved by the taxpayers of
both counties. The old adage that
what is everybody's business is no
body's business, is applicable in this
case. II we eyer stamp out this pest
some must lead in the movement and
although our commissioners may feel
little difident they should 60 right
ahead just as fearless as if they were
handling a bridge subject. In conclu-
sion will say, if this article is not com
pretended by the farmers, the near
future will explain it all; that is when
they came in contact with the real
article itself, then the Russian thistle
will predominant. G. l. SIMPSON.
Nampa, August goth, 1894.
SHORT IN ACCOUNTS.
Postmaster Heed $4,000 Behind.
II has camo IN 1ioht that Postma sta,