El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-02
FARMING
JOHNSON GRASS
Is 4 WEED PEST
Agricultural Department of
State College Urges Farm
ers to Eradicate It.

state College, n. NJ, Jan. "A bulle-
tintin dealing with Johnson grass has
been issued by the agricultural depart
ment Of the college. 1t urges farmers
to fight it as a serious weed pest.
In certain parts of the state Johnson
grass is not considered a weed pest
Where, for one reason or another, other
grasses do not do well, and where, be-
cause irrigation is not practiced, John
son grass does not spread rapidly, this
crop may have its place. 1t is a Sc
rious weed pest, however. in the irri-
gated sections. says the bulletin, and
should be recognized as such and fought
by all farmers in these sections. John
son grass is very closely related to
the sOrghums. The stems are usually
three to five feet high; leaves one to
two feet long and one-half inch wide;
head open and spreading six to u
inches long 1t is especially charac-
teriZed by an abundant growth of IN
derground rootstOcks. Learn to know
this plant so that methods of control
may be pr2cticed When it first appears
Its spread is brought about in two
ways: by seed and by underground
roots or rhizOmes Seed is produced in
great quantity and may be scattered
by transporting hay. by birds, by horse
manure in which undigested seeds Oc-
cur, and by irrigation water. This
last is by far the most important meth
cd of dissemination. Seed which is
the water and is scattered over large.
areas There is very little spreading
by means of the root stocks, except
where pieces of root stock are allowed
to fall into the irrigation bitches
The underground root stocks live
only one year. After passing through
the winter, these stems have only one
mission, and that is to throw up
branches to the surface. These new
branches. after reaching the surface,
form crowns and produce new plants
About poisoning time the new plants
put out a new growth OF underground
stems. which If the top is left uncut,
grow to great size and length, fire.
QueQnuy penetrating the ground to
depth of four feet But If the top is
cut back promptly every time 1t heads
out, these new root stocks develop very
late in the season, are very slender and
remain very near the surface. If the
grass be cut close during season,
then plOWed Just deep enough TO turn
Up all the root stocks (three or four
inches deep), the grass can be eradi-
Gated without much difficulty. If the
blowing is done in the fan, the freez-
ing Of many exposed roots will ma
Ierially assist in the later work toward
complete eradication. The succeeding
crop should receive very clean cUlti-
vatiOn.
Down completely will be effective.
Deep flooding, where practicable, has
given satisfactory results, as has pas
-uTl0g Win nOSS. II IS not necessary
10 dig up all OF the root where clean
cultivation is attempted. In fact, it is
extremely difficult to get all Of the
-oOts and the labor involved makes he I
cost high
The use Of chemicals is not advisable.
;hiefly due to the expense Of this !
method. This is especially true where |
he area to be treated is large. If the |
pot can be cultivated with a plow or |
zoe there is no need of going further 1
or weapons In some instances where !
lOeing is not practicable, chemicals /
nay be used to advantage. Common |
ALT, various acids and oils have been |
lsed- Salt is easily handled and is ef- /
ective if used in sufficient quantities. |
'he salt should be applied dry at the |
roWn and then mOistened with water |
n tests made on the station plats this /
method was much more effective than /
vas application of salt IN solution.