Arizona republican., 1910-05-15
Dealing With a Ranch Pest.

timely article on Johnson grass in the Salt River valley. advises the Water Users association to make an or ganized war on the pest. It also quotes standard authorities on the best method of eradicating the grass
 We know of no other subject of such practical interest to the ranchers of the valley. Its pressing importance has been too long neglected. Not only ought the water users take up the matter vigorously. but there should be close cooperation between the farm- CTS and the reclamation service in dealing with the problem. Indeed, without the active help of. the recla- nation service it will be difficult for the land owners to get the best re- suits The reclamation service con- trols the canals. and by permitting the grass to become rooted along the duces millions of seeds that are dis tributed by the water over the irri- gated land, the service furnishes with the water constant renewal of the pestiferous seed supply in the sum- mer months. At whatever cost and trouble, all the canals and ditches under the control of the reclamation service should be kept clear of John son grass. This done, the ranchers would be encouraged in a practical way to go after the grass on their lands, and within two or three years in the valley. We do not lose sight of the fact that the grass also goes to seed on the upper reaches of the Salt and Verde rivers, whence the seed is brought to the valley in some quantity; but the greatest source of supply, and the most dangerous source, is rapidly becoming established along the canals.
 In this climate. frequent shallow blowing in summer-water being kept off the iand-the ground being left rough and unharrowed after each blowing. so that the sun will reach the exposed roots, will pretty effec- lively destroy Johnson grass. Com -plete destruction will be accomplished if with this method hogs are kept on the ground so treated. Hogs are exceedingly ford of the grass roots.-
 Baileys CycIopedia of Agriculture says:
 Recent studies by the United States department of agriculture have resulted in discoveries that render the complete eradication of Johnson grass comparatively easy. The underground stems live only one year. After pass ing through the winter, these stems have only one mission, and that is to throw up branches to the surface. These new branches. on reaching the surface. form crowns and produce new plants. About blossoming time these new plants send out a new growth of underground stems, which,
 
 size and length. frequently penetrating the soil to a depth of four feet. But if the top is set back promptly every time it heads out, these new root stocks develop very late in the season, are very slender and remain very near the surface. If the grass be cut close during a season, then by blowing just deep enough to turn up all the root stocks, say three to four inches deep. the grass can be eradicated about as easily as Kentucky bluegrass. The succeeding crop should be a cultivated one, such as corn or cotton. A little better cultivation than usual will ex- terminate the pest when it is treated as here outlined"
 Within a few years the ranch lands of the Salt River valley will comprise the most valuable agricultural dis trict in the United States-command the highest price in the market-if the owners, realizing the immense po- tential value of their land, will pro- tect it from invasion -by-Johnson grass.