Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-01-05

it on to the governor for his signature
It will be signed as soon as the governor
returns from Wahpeton, and forwarded
to Washington. The memorial is as fol,
lows:
The Russian thistle or cactus ESQ called)
is beyond DOUBT the most pernicious weed
that has invaded the northwestern states
il. not the North American continent. II
was introduced not many years ago by
immigrants from Southern Russia with
fax seed which they were permitted to
bring in with their other effects. Large
districts in Russia have in the past been
devastated by it, and only re-habilitated al
the expense of the government, which for
several years employed the ruined farmers
paying them wages, for the destruction OF
the weed on their own farms.
Its growth on American soil is said to be
even more vigorous. and its spread more
aggressive than in Russia.
American farmers were ignorant of its
character and not on guard against it,
while Russian settlers seem, in their com
munity, to have tolerated it as a familiar,
If not necessary, evil. Its methods and
powers of propagation are varied and
almost irresistible, at least in regions OF
spare settlement. In the autumn, when
matured, the plant let's 60 its hold ON the
soil, and with every breeze traverses the
prairie scattering its countless seeds on
every foot of ground it touches. Each spot
OF broken ground is a bed for it. The loose
earth about q ground squirrels burrOW
will grow a plant to seed acres of cult
waited land. In the winter the seeds mingle
with the snow and drift with it. Mixed
with the grain, these seeds are scattered by
the cars that carry the grain to the
markets.. So relentlessly does it make use
of every agency to over.run the land that
it brings dismay to all who become familiar
with it. Its encrOachments seem to defy
individual resistance. Titled fields often
become so thick with it that no domestic
animal can pass through its lacerating
thorns. Not a few farms are already
abandoned. The loss to crops in 1898 is es-
timated at So, OOO,O 900 in North Dakota.
Meantime the evil spreads. 1t journeys
along the highways. 1t follows the right
of-way of the railroads. 1t has appeared
in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Plants have
been found in the stock yards of Chicago.
1t threatens the country at large. In the
interest of the nation its instant suppress
sion is demanded.
IL is probable that the laws of North Da-
kota are sufficient for the eradication OF
the pest if adjoining states cooperate, pro-
vided the work of destruction can be done
on lands which the state has no power to
tax. These consist Of:
First-Government lands, a wide ex-
panse bordering on and i~nterspersed
through the regions most affected.
Sc0nn1 poSluool ;,Io-,-:A, Y..J. -
lected by the railroad company and with
drawn from settlement but, except III the
extreme eastern portion of the state, not
approved by the secretary Of the interior
and therefore not taxable.
Third-A great number of quarter Sec
tons taken up by homestead entry, but not
yet proved upon and therefore not taxable.
North Dakota annot afford the expense
OF complete suppression OF the scourge on
these enormous areas, involving as it
would, minute examination of every square
rod, without the power to tax the land for
the great costs it would involve. Yet these
wild lands are the most mischievous
source OF propagation of the evil. On
them, plants grow remote from observa-
ton. They have been discovered miles
from any settlement, where, growing
slngly they attain IN enormou size, and
whence, the seeds having lipened, they are
driven unmeasured distances to scatter
them.
we therefore pray congress to quickly
inform itself concerning this danger, and
to contribute by liberal appropriations to its
destruction. We do not ask this that work
may be done which properly involves on
our people, bnt that the national domain
may cease to be a source of disaster and a
bar to the laboriOus efforts OF the diligent
farmers, who are striving to free them
selves from this direful plague.
we ask it also as a protection to other
states which otherwise are sure to suffer
sooner or later, like misfortune.
Your memOrialiSts refer with grateful
appreciation ard hearty approval to the
early action of the secretary of agriculture
IN directing an expert inquiry as to the
character of and injury done by the
Russian thistle, by the botanical division
OF the department Of agriculture. We are
sure the reports thus officially secured will
bear US out in our representations and en-
phasize the danger which threatens not
only North Dakota but other states as
well, where the revages of this abominable
weed have not yet been experienced. Most
respectfully submitted,
MILTON F. MERCHANT,
Chairman.
w. j.. DwYER,
LYMAN r. CASEY,
j. NJ. DEvINE,
Committee.
We Are Still o.. K.
{. 81 pa,r1 G1oha. T,l-o VEy:o oL,.Ao- "a