The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-02-23

Crops losses aSSTeSdtlnB WliilohS
Of dollars occur annually throughout
the United States due to lack of eff
cient weed control. Immense areas
are infected with wet 8 to an extent
that makes it very advisable TO carry
on a determined warfare to eradicate
them. For many years those inter
ested in scientific and permanent agrl-
culture have considered the menace OF
weeds and have issued warnings
against them. This early work oealt
almost wholly with preventive meas
ures, largely along the line OF seeo IN
spection to insure clean seed.
Farmers ON the virgin soils OF the
United States where weeds were not
numerous we're inclined to ridicule the
Idea that they could ever become seri
ously troublesome. The fears or the
scientists have been realized, now
ever and there are now many farms
in this country which have been apan'
doned because the weeds have multi
piled and spread so rapidly that the
farmer has become discouraged ana
given up in despair Noxious weeds
are spreading at a rate which mas
alarmed those who are acquainted
with the seriousness Of the situation,
There are many farms where 20 per
cent of the crop producing capacity
has been destroyed by weeds. There
is a great necessity of some con-
certed action for weed control and
TO yyith n nj The
most widespread and serious weed
pests.
The Worst Weeds.
While there are many weeds which
are proving troublesome on farms.
there are two which are prominently
noxious, particularly in Wisconsin
and the north central states, viz:
Quack grass and Canada thistles
These weeds are extremely difficult to
eradicate because OF their peculiar
nature and habits.
Wild mustard has become a serious
pest in the grain fields Of many
states, and In some sections is get
ting beyond the control of farmers
using ordinary methods Of eradication
Land values have deteriorated where
the fields have become thickly seeded
to mustard. Considerable effort has
been expended by farmers in pulling
the mustard plants when in full bloom
at time when the weed could be
easily recognized in the grain fields
but when fields became badly infested
this was a laborious task, and often
was done at the expense of one-hali
or more of the crop.
Other weeds which are especially
obnoxious are the Sow thistle, Star
thistle, English plantain Ox-eye daisy
Toad fax, Dodder and Velvet leaf
and in many sections other weeds are
serious.
Quack Grass Serious Foo.
Quack grass is a perennial plant liv.
ing from year to year unless pre-
vented by some unusual circum.
stances. 1t rcproduce3 itself by means
of seed and by means of the root
stocks. 1t is the rootstocks which
give the plant it's noxious character
as they must be killed to eradicate ii
and thye possess a great deal of VI
tality. At each joint new roots are
thrown out and at many OF them new
stems start. In this way the grass
spreads rapidly and a piece of the
rootstock with one of these joints on
1t will produce new plant, although
IT may not be over one-half inch long
The whole plant grows rapidly and
ripens its seed usually in July and
where growing in meadows, may be
gathered in the hay, from whence 1t
gets into the manure to be scattered
broadcast over the farm.
IL growing In grain it will be har-
vested and threshed with the grain,
and II the grain is not graded with
extreme care some of the Quack grass
will be sown on the fields the next
year.
Canada Thistle a Menace.
Like Quack grass the Canada this
tie is perennial plant. In height it
ranges from one to three feet. de-
pending on conditions The Canada
thistle has no rootstocks like the
Quack grass, but is possessed o; true
roots. the parts of which are capable
OF producing plants. When undisturbed
by cultivation the roots are apt to lie
near the surface. but go deeper in
cultivated soil and where it Is par
ucularly loose and porous may be
found at depth of three feet.
Canada thistles seldom bear seed in
fields that are cultivated annually.
but In those fields that are seeded
down to clover or grasses.
Methods Of Weed Cradle alton.
Many methods have been devised
and advocated for the eradication Of
Quack grass and Canada thistles. The
success Of any method depends very
largely upon soil and weather condi-