The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-08-22
Weed Investigation.

70 the Public
The State Board of Agriculture, at its
last meeting passed the following reso-
luton.
Whereas, The alarming increase of
noxious weeds in the state makes it
proper for the State Board of Agricul-
ture to make an investigation with the
view of ascertaining the best way to
remedy these evils, and to suggest
necessary legislation to impose upon
the county supervisor or township trus-
tee, or both, the authority of the law
to eradicate these pests.
Resolved, That the Committee on
Adulteration of Foods, Seeds and Other
Products are instructed to investigate
the subject and to report from time to
time; that the sum of five hundred dol
lars, or as much thereof as may be
necessary, is hereby appropriated for
expenses for the year of 1907.
The undersigned committee, in view
of the law passed regulating the sale of
agricultural seeds and prohibiting their
adulteration. desire to bring to the
notice of the farmers of the state the
Importance Of this investigation, to the
end that all noXious weeds already ex-
listing shall be brought to the attention
of the authorities and by systematic
effort shall be eventually eradicated,
that we may put an end to the contami-
nation of Iowa grown agricultural seeds
with foul weed seeds.
With the aid of the Agricultural Col
lege and the help of the farmers, county
supervisors, township trustees and road
supervisors the committee expects to
locate all the patches of noxious weeds,
whether in public or private grounds,
such weeds as Canada thistle, Russian
| thistle, quack grass, wild mustard and
wild oats. Also, to determine the ex-
tent of the infection of the less refrac-
tory but not less mischievous weeds in
the public roads and highways, such as
sweet clover, squirrel-tailed grass, curl
ed and smooth dock, bracted plantain,
buckhorn, common mustard, alfalfa, field
dodder, and other we'll known noxious
or difficult weeds.
The committee will have the services
of Professor Pammell and his assistants
to aid in the study of the best methods
for the determination of each particular
weed of annual, biennial or perennial
growth, and to recommend to the Gen
eral Assembly such revision Of the weed
laws as will effectually require the
county or township authorities to in
augurate crusade against all noxious
weeds.
The committee invites all the farmers
institutes, officers of county and district
agricultural societies, and that potent
of all reformatory organizations, the
womens clubs, to lend their services to
the awakening of the public to the de-
mands of the fair and fertile soil of Iowa,
to make an end to it's infection with vic
ious weed and the resultant seed dissem-
ination in the public highways, railway
grounds, in private lots and public
places.
The committee will supply question
sheets, to be filled out and returned.
The information thus secured from
farmers and others interested and in
formed in regard to the weeds in their
respective localities will be invaluable
to the committee and appreciated &C
cordingly by them.
Respectfully,
S. B. PACKARD, Marshalltown, Ia.
G. F. CURTIss, Ames, la.
H. r. WRIGHT, Des Moines, Ia.
Committee