Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1910-12-30
CANADIAN THISTLE.
BY Il. =. Patterson, Montana
Agricultural College.

II =
+ + j. :. !. j. :. !. !. j. J. :. = :. = :. i
During the past three or four years
the Canadian thistle has spread very
rapidly in all parts of the Northwest
ern states. 1t is well known fact
among those who have had expert
ence with this weed, that it is very
difficult to destroy. If we are to con
troll this weed We should by all means
clean them out before they spread
over the entire farm. The Canadian
thistle spreads very rapidly because
Of the fact that it is reproduced by the
seed and because the plant also spreads
by underground stems, or root stalks.
However, one good thing in this con.
nection is that they do not produce a
large amount of germinable seeds.
The amount of seed that is produced
will, Of course, be Influenced by the
type OF season. During favorable
weather large number Of seeds will
be formed and then, because of the
character Of the plant. these seeds are
scattered over large areas. The plant
IL so formed that the wind will easily
plCN ~ UP anu CdlI! H. iOI ullIcS. IL udS
been estimated that a single plant will
produce about $500 seeds and will dis.
tribute these seeds over an area OF
about ten miles. II but 10 per cent
of these seeds grow. we can readily
see the rapidity with which our land
can become infected with this nOxiOuS
weed.
However, even If the land was pre-
vented from forming seeds we could
not rid our farm entirely Of this plant
because Of the fact that it reproduces
itself by means Of underground stems
or root stalks. People who have had
experience with this weed say that
good way to keep it in check is to al.
low the thistle to grow until it is in
full bloom and then cut 1t off as close
to the ground as possible and pillow the
land shallow, say about three inches
deep, in August. The land should
then be disced and narrowed very thor.
Oughly so as to expose as many roots
rs possible. At this season Of the year
the soil is usually quite dry and the
exposing of the roots will so complete
1y dry them out that large number
of them will be destroyed. 1t has also
been found profitable to gather and
burn the roots. This is not always a
good practice because even il the roots
have been thoroughly dried the vital.
ity Is not always lost. As soon as
they are placed under favorable cOndi-
lions again they will send out more
shoots and thus tend TO spread the
nj Il a., al, ~, Il
over very thoroughly once week or
at least as often as the condition OF
the land and plants seem to warrant
during the months Of August and Sep.
TENDER After this work has been
performed the land can be seeded to
winter wheat or fall rye
1t is advisable to cultivate during
these two months a great deal be-
cause unless the roots are kept ex-
posed to the air they will absorb
moisture from the soil and of course
will retain their vitality. Then again
by the cultivation We are able to keep
dust mulch upon the surface which
will permit of the conservation of the
moisture to be used by the fall grains.
The fall grains should be seeded thick
enough, SO that they will form very
heavy covering over the entire sur
face. These grains can be pastured
off in the spring and fall and then
ploWed under and the land seeded to
sorghum or bronze grass or even to Il
crop of spring rye. Some farmers
nave had success by allowing the fall
rye to grow to maturity. The thing
to be remembered in this connection
is that We want our stand thicl,
enough that no sunlight can reach tn.
surface soil and thus encourage tn,
growth of the thistle roots. This vii
tend to smother out the plant and yer,
effectively destroy it,
There is no use TO try to kill the
Canadian thistle unless we are pr,
pared to do a thorough job. If the
work is not properly done the cultiva
ton will only make ii grow faster
We offer the suggestion of allowing
the plants to grow until the seeds art
about ready to form before cutting, il
order that large amount of the
strength of the plant will be used fol
seed production and thus the plant,
are more easily destroyed and the un
derground stems and root stalks ar,
somewhat weakened. II the thistle il
cut off before the seeds are formed til,
plant will Immediately send UP NOR
shoots in order that seeds may b.
matured. Nature seems to have pre-
vided herself with this means of re
producing the different plants. Tha
is. If we make The conditions urfavci
able tor seed prediction. nature viii