The Parker post., 1913-06-21
KEEP VALLEY
FREE OF PESTS
RANCHERS SHOULD PREVENT
JOHNSON AND BERMUDA
GRASSES FROM GAINING FOOT
HOLD HERE.
Palo Verde Valley Herald.

dom which valley lands have from
obnoxious weeds and grasses This
is especially true with reference to
such pests as Johnson grass, Ber-
muda, milk weed, cOckle-bu and the
parasites that often flourish in alfal-
ia, weeds that are scarcely known
here. II is reported that Johnson
grass has been seen in small patches
in one or two places in the valley
and those who have had experience
with this weed realize the Importance
of keeping our farming land free
from it.
The following article which appear
ed in the Farm and Fireside mag
azine contains much practical infOr
nation for controlling the Johnson
and Bermuda pests:
Johnson grass is without doubt one
of the most serious weed pests with
which farmers in many sections must
contend. The damage which it has
already accomplished and the persis
tency with which it seems to be
spreading is a constant cause of ap-
prehensiOn. Any suggested means OF
controlling this pest, therefore, finds
an eager audience among those
whose farms are already damaged
or threatened by its invasion. Fol-
these reasons I belieye that a timely
warning should be issued against SO
called easy methods of eradicating
this pernicious weed
There is no easy method OF destroy
ing Johnson grass and no means oil
driving it from j field in which it
is well established without heavy
loss or expense The worst featurl
of these theoretically easy methods"
is not that they fail to accomplish
the results desired, but that they
tend to a laxness on the part OF
farmers who trust III them. The
first few plants which appear are
therefore neglected with the thought
that when the pest becomes trouble
some it can easily be disposed of.
The opportunity to get rid OF the
Johnson grass at the only time that
it can be done inexpensively is there
by lost The old adage that an ounce
Of prevention is worth pound of
care, was never more nearly true
than in it's application to the control
of Johnson, Bermuda and quack. or
couch grass.
Johnson grass is a vigorous peren-
NAL. 1t is prOpagated by strong un
dergrOund stems as we'll as by seeds,
These subterranean stems are distin
guished from ordinary roots by being
jonted They are frequently spoken
one OF these, both stems .atL roots
may grow. Such a stem coming TO
the surface develops for itself an
independent croWn, which in turn
sends up many stems and gives rise
to a new bunch OF the grass. From
this clump as a center. new under
ground stems are put forth in all
directions. In this manner not only
is the grass continuously spread, but
hA coil uith thi0lx
and resistant rhizomes, rendering the
complete eradication of the pest eX~
ceedingly difficult and expensive
The reason for this is fully realized
when one learns that every joint OF
a rhiZOme which may be broken
apart by the plow or harrow is cap
able of sprouting at once or else
lying dormant in the soil for several
months until favorable conditions ar
rive and then putting forth roots
and branches. Unless, therefore, ii
has been exposed on the surface and
thoroughly dried out, each piece acts
as a cutting to further scatter and
increase the infestation. New rhizo-
mes are being formed at all times
when the grass is i'll active growth.
There is, therefore, no season OF the
year when it may be safely neg
lected
Water May Carry the Seeds.
Johnson grass also natures a
heavy crop of dark reddish-brown
seed. These are rather smooth and
shining Oh the back, slightly flatten-
ed, spindle shaped, with rather mar
row apex. They are about three
times as long as an alfalfa seed. John
son grass seeds are readily scattered
about in barn-yard manure, in the
drOpptngs of stock fed on infested
hay and by water from irrigation
bitches
The first step is to carefully in
spect the fields, at least two or three