Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1913-09-19
Iron Sulphate Spray for Weed
Eradication.

Oregon Agricultural College, Cor
vallis-When properly prepared and
applied, iron sulphate spray not only
destroys weeds of most kinds but
leaves grains or grasses among which
it is growing practically uninjured.
While very effective in preventing
threatened damage to crops from Wig
orously growing weeds, it cannot be
made to take the place of rotations,
civilizations, summer fallow and other
weed preventative measures. Neither
should its use be attempted on weeds
growing in clovers or other broad
leaved crops, as it will destroy them
as well as weeds. Following is the
method of use, as presented in detail
by Professor H. D. Scudder, agrono-
mist of the Oregon Agricultural COL
lege.
"The iron sulphate used as a spray
has been thoroughly tested both by
experiment stations and the manufac-
turers of the sulphate. When properly
prepared and applied it has proved de-
structive to dandelion, yarrow, sorrel,
mustard, lambs quarters, peppergrass,
bull thistle, wild carrot, pigweed,
shepherds purse and wild daisy. 1t
will not destroy dock, which can be
eradicated only by digging the plant
out or cultivating it to prevent its 60
ing to seed. When used to destroy
dandelions on lawns it will injure the
white clover. And it should be re-
membered that this spray cannot safe
ly be used on weeds growing in any
broad-leaved crop, as it will destroy
the crop as well as the weeds.
"The value of this spray as de-
stroyer of weeds lies largely in the
fact that it can be applied and the
weeds killed while they are growing
in the grain crop. The spray will moi
destroy grains or grasses because OF
its limited area of action on their mar.
row linear leaves, while it will destroy
the weeds named, largely because Of
its wider area of action on their broac
and succulent leaves.
"As iron sulphate is powerful
salt, its action is similar to that of ar
alkali in the soil, causing the leaves
upon which it falls to dry up, turr
brown and die.
"The effectiveness of the sprav de-
pends mainly on four things: First
it should be applied during dry, sunny
weather, for if rain washes off thu
salt within two or three days it is moi
effective. Second, it must be applied
with sprayer, which will deliver the
spray forcibly in very fine mist, 81
that the weeds will be covered as com
pletely as possible. Third, the spray
ing should be done on a quiet day
Fourth, the spray should be applied t.
all weeds just before they bloom.
"The spray is prepared by dissolvinf
100 pounds of iron sulphate in So gal
Ions of water. 1t should be made ur
fresh each day in wooden barrels ant
the sprayer should be wood, rubber OF
brass. The solution will stair
clothes, and the hands should be pro
tected by being creased with vase
line.
Ordinarily for mustard in wheat
fields one spraying is sufficient. Or
more persistent plants, such as the
dandelion, the spraying must be re
peated when the plant comes up again
Flax or wheat may be sprayed without
injury to the crop when from six t.
twelve inches in height. Later, the
mustard or other weeds are likely t.
be too difficult to reach with the
spray, owing to the shading of the
grain"