The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-10
IT IS ALL RIGHT.
Secretary C0burn Clears the
Russian Tumbleweed.
Valuable as a Feed For Live
Stock.
HOWTO HARVEST THEM
Cut For Hay When They Are in
Bloom.
They May Also Be Used as
ssGreens.
HOWTO HARVEST THEM

western Kansas became terror-stricken
because of the appearance of the Rus
sian thistle or tun BILE weed in that
locality. The country newspapers dis
cussed It every week and urged the
farmers to use every effort to stamp the
$pest out of existence, and the legisla-
ture passed law to compel united ac-
ton TO exterminate il.
Efforts were unavailing. however, al
though the spread of the thistle has
been largely abridged Within the past
two or three years a number OF farmers
nave come forward with the discovery
that the thiStleS make the finest kind
OF hay and pasturage. 1t is claimed
that cattle prefer them to any other
kind of feed. This has caused war to
break out A good many farmers We're
convinced that the thistle might be
really a blessing in disguise. but its
enemies became more implacable than
ever and denounced the alleged benefits
to be derived from the thistle as fabri-
cations.
To ascertain the truth of the re-
ports Secretary Coburn has been gather
ing statements from farmers in the 10
calities where the thistles grow, and to-
DAY these statements were published IN
the quarterly report of the state board
or agriculture On the cover of the re-
port Secretary Coburn uses the follow
ing quotation from the Bible:
Fe shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs
of thistles? For every tree is
known by his own fruit For of thorns
men do not gather figs, nor of bramble
bush gather they grapes"
In his introduction Secretary Coburn
says:
Eight years ago the equaninity of
Kansas farmers, especially those in the
more northwestern counties, was s-.S-
turbed by the appearance on their Gull
t1Vated Lands of a new and strange
weed, which proved to be the dreaded
Russian thistle or Russian tumbIeweed-
Its source of Introduction has been
ascr1bed to Colorado and Nebraska
being brought in alfalfa seed from the
former and 'turnbled' in by winds from
the latter. Immediately following it's
appearance in Kansas strenuous efforts
were made and stringent measures
adopted to prevent its spread and If
possible to eradicate it, Much informa-
ton was disseminated, telling of the
weeds pernicious habits and giving the
observations and experiences OF others
who had dealt with it, as well as the
best means of preventing its spread
Russian thistle seeds probably were
brought to the United States in flax
seed from Russia, and the presence of
the plants in any alarming numbers
was first noted in South Dakota where
they rapidly spread more or less to
North Dakota. Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and other
sections, and, regardless of location,
soils. conditions, or climates, they SEEM
ed TO thrive and multiply But all along
the line A fierce fight has been waged
against them, although often with little
avail. and nothing but the vigilant CO.
operation by the inhabitants of infest-
ed districts Is likely ever to bring about
their determination
In Kansas the thistles have as yet
been pretty well confined to the north
west corner of the state the section
earliest seeded. and it is gratifying to
note that they have not been permitted
largely to extend their area in a threat
ening way In the territory where they
are, however, nothing but condemna-
ton of them has been heard until re-
Gently. Within the past few years,
however. there have come indirectly to
the Kansas agricultural department oc-
casfonal reports of their being utilized,
both green and cured, as feed for live
stock, and with a view of ascer tanning
the facts as to such practices the de-
partment has interviewed numerous
parties who have harvested thistles and
red them to live stock on considerable
scale, and what they say is set forth
in detail in the following pages, along
with other kindred information.
Russian thistles. as generally under
stood, are regarded as the farmers i'm
placable enemy, a hateful menace to all
useful vegetation, and a curse to agri-
cultural districts; difficult to prevent
the spread of or to exterminate- While
It IS well known that, when young and
growing, they are often greediIy eaten
by live stock. especially sheep and cat
tie, their utilization as indicated is new
In this connection, it is proper to say
that the state board of agriculture in
deEoting publication to the discussion
OF this subject, does not in any sense
intend to appear as encouraging or
even countenancing the growth of this
ties for any purpose whatsoever, as the
farms of Kansas should not be dis
graced nor deprecated by their pres
ence
of the parties interviewed most
agree that the so-called thistle hay
quite favora bly, corresponds in feeding
value with that from native grasses,
and some even assert that it is equal
to alfalfa, which in quality it is said to
resemble in some respects when proper
ly cured
From general survey of the reports
thistle hay is considered by those who
have used it nutritious and fattening
and cattle and sheep with no other feed
can be sustained through the winter in
as fair condition as when other ordinary
forage is used 1t is also indicated that
horses and mules do not seem to care