The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1910-09-22

| are the Two nOXlOuS weeds that
cause Wisconsin farmers most trou-
BILE at the present time In an effort
to cooperate with Ike farmer who
wishes to rid his farm of these pests
the College o. Arr'c,~lt-rc IF tho
| UuNuie y Of v iecJu,tu us Just
issued a circular OF Information, No.
10, giving some valuable hints on
how to get rid Of these weeds.
Quack grass is the hardest of all
IN, wn weeds to eradicate. Il per-
SITS under the most adverse condi
SION aud agent which will effec-
lively destroy Canada thistles often
h IS but IL slight effect on Quack
grass.
Cultivation or following without a
crop has proved the most successful
m cans of Graduating both these
pests when large areas were infest-
ed. provided the soil is not too wet.
This method consists of blowing
very deep so as TO reach the hor-
izontal roots, four times in dry
season and from five to six times in
wet season. No crop can be rails
ed on the field the year the plow-
ing is done.
In the intervals between plowin gs
the ground must be cultivated often
so as to prevent all leaf growth.
The spring tooth harrow is the best
tool for this purpose. A disc har-
row is not good as it does not bring
the roots TO the surface to be killed
by the hot sunshine. If this method
is thoroughly and persistently
followed throughout a season neither
Jack grass nor Canada thistles
will survive If there is any ques-
tiOn of the weeds remaining, plant
the field to corr the next year. in
such manner that it can be thor
oughly cultivated both ways. Ii
few scattered plants make their
appearance kill them Immediately
by hoeing.
In the long run the above method
proves the most economical means
of eradicating these weeds. A crop
is lost from the field one year, but
the lying fallow, together with the
thorough cultivation, puts the field
iE excellent condition for the follow
ing season. The increased yield
often more than pays for the loss of
one years crop.
Some have tried cultivation while
raising crop for graduating the
weeds. This method is often eifec-
tive with Canada thistles bnt is not
to be recommended or relied upon
when field is infested with quack
grass. Millet or buckwheat, thickly
sown, are the best crops to raise
with this method of treatment, since
they grow densely and make thick
shade over the ground under which
the young weed plants cannot thrive.
Thorngb cultivation of the field both
before and after harvesting the crop
is necessary.
When small areas. not over two
rods square are infested with quack
grass and canada thistles, the most
econon. ical method of eradicating
them is by cutting the weeds close
10 the ground just when in bloom,
then covering the whole area with
heavy building paper. The strips
must be arranged so that no plants
can push up between them in any
way, nor crowd out at the edges of
the patch so as to reach the air aud
sunlight. The paper should be
weighted down with earth, stone or
other heavy material to hold it in
place, and left for sixty days, or
more if possible. At the end of
that time all plants will be dead.
Growing heavy stands of alfalfa
for three seasons at least, has been
known to kill canada thist,es but is
unsuccessful with quack grass.
Seeding heavily to perennial grasses
as Kentucky blue grass, red top or
English rye grass, and turning the
field into q meadow for a number of
years has also proved successful for
canada thistles.
For few scattered plants OF the
canada thistle a good method is tr
cut the stalk off just beneath the
surface of the ground. Then apply
a large handful of salt at the point
where the this tie is cut off. Case
lire or carbolc acid may be applied
also but must be handled with care
The latter method is practicable fol
only very small areas as the mater