Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-12-11

of this dreaded weed becoming estab-
lished.
To properly inspect the lines OF rail-
way in eastern Washington would re-
quire the services OF two men for period
of three months annually. In this time
they could easily, on horseback, inspect
every foot of railway, and destroy any
chance specimens of the thistle that
might be found. In the case Of large
patches being discovered, the assistance
OF the railway company is already prom
ised US, and no doubt the neighborlng
farmers would readily respond ifnotified.
The total expense for two such mon will
not exceed $500 per year. To be OF the
most value they should be intelligent
botanists, as no less than four other
plants in this state very close y resemble
the Russian thistle and are frequently
mistaken fer it. On this account, man
not a botanist would be likely to discover
\ great deal Of Russian thistle that is
something else, thereby mourning use
less labor and expense.
If this or an equally effective organized
effort can be arranged for, the expert
ment station is ready and willing to dis
seminate information concerning the
Russian thistle to every farmer in the
state; without the organized effort the
dissemination of bulletin on the sub
ject is considered futile.
An the next meeting of the legislature
no doubt satisfactory legislation to cover
the case can be secured. In the mean
time, the danger of the spread of the
weed is imminent, and once well estab
Iished all hope of eradicating it is gone.
To avert this danger we are satisfied that
the plan presented, with the promised
assistance of the railway companies, is
thoroughly practicable. To carry it out
will require 500, which amount it is
hoped the various boards of county COM
missioners interested can contribute, as
at present no other means to secure that
amount of money seems available. The
sum is SO small and the danger so great,
that we trust this appeal will not be UNI
needed.
Five hundred dollars spent the com
ing year will save loss of many thous-
ands later. The danger is immediate
and great. A years delay and open and
cultivated lands alike may become so in
fected that eradication would be next to
Impossible. We have not the money to
do this work, but will undertake it if
funds are provided. The simplest and
most practicable plan would be for the
several counties to provide small sums
which in the aggregate would do the
Wsrd. II this sum of $500 can be placed
at our disposal we stand ready to under
take the task Of securing the destruction
of the Russian thistle in eastern Wash
ington, and we believe that this can be
accomplished. This letter is being sent
to the boards of county commissioners OF
the following counties, in the hope that
they may gee their way clear to appro-
pirate the amount OF money indicated
for each. The amounts for Walla Walla
and Yakima counties are larger than for
others for the reason that the weed has
obtained better amount of inspection
and more work. The amounts asked for
are as follows, namely: Walla Walla
and Yakima counties, 800 each Adams,
Douglas, Franklin, Kittitas, Lincoln,
Spokane and Whitman counties, $50
each which, if granted, will provide a
fund of 5000. With this sum we will
send two persons who are experts in
recognizing the weed. each provided with
horses, tools, etc, on duty along the
lines OF the o. X. x n. and Hunt sys-
TENS, the Northern Pacific and Great
Northern railway from the end of June
to the end OF September. We will patrol
as far west as the Cascades.
In conclusion, permit us to say that
in our opinion delay of another year in
this organized effort is fatal. If the
farmers of Washington are to be saved
the loss that the Russian thistle will
surely cause them if it becomes intro
duced, immediate action is necessary.
c. V. PIPER,
Botanist and Entomologist.