Arizona republican., 1914-04-26

systems. To accomplish this pur pose the top growth should be cut back at frequent intervals. In the case Of individual clumps or small patches of Johnson grass this can he accomplished by means of q sharp shovel. but the most effective n..ans under irrigated conditions is sheep.
 Sheep may be confined or herlicd upon infested ditch banks and un waste weedy ground. ill sufficient numbers to keep Johnson grsss graz cd consistently to the surface of th" ground. Trder thesc ,onditicrS the ihizoIncs, with the5r stcr"a-up m;tc- ria,s, are constantly depleted 1y the effort to throw up aerial growth. Thr result of one or two seaSops of this treatillen, $ 10 eliminate ro"tStu"ks almost entirely ard {" so we1kon the plapts that they may be GsStroycd easily by shovel work alrnF; ditih banks or hy shallow p'ow.ns and ha,,i owing in cultivated fields.
 A cultrral plan of att"c'' s''g2 est ed for fields of Jclneoa grass in SaH River Valley Is, beginning in the spring, to withhold irriyatin2 water from the infested tract. then. SIS the grass push cs into growth, erlze t closely with sAceo. in this way exhaustinG the root systems without rernjitiinS top deNel- opment When the -vigor of the plants has hocn d'nipshed by this means blow the field dry, and graze tne eN- posed masses Of rootstocks with hogs, cattle or sheep From time to time dur ing the summer. blowing and harrow ing should be repeated and grazing op- erations continued as long as anything can be found for animals to consume.
 At the end of a summers operations on this plan. winter crops of wheat, barley. or vegetables may be grown when the Johnson grass is quicsccnt The following spring. if Johnson grass has been eradicated the previous sea son. when these crops are harvested the land may be sown to some summer cultivated crop such as corn or cotton. In case. however. the previous -season's results have not been wholly success ful d repetition of the first summers treatment will be necessary
 Small clumus of Johnson grass may be destroyed hy pcrsisten;ly cutting tllcin ont at frequent intervals with q sharp shovel. as the top growth reap pears This trea tmcnt will exhaust and finally destroy the grass. \ wce!y sa9t may also he conquered by covering it deep'y. with q load of manure. by put ting hay stack upon it, or otherwise shutting it away from light and air.
 Various other methods have been proposed against Johnson grass such as chemicals and steam. II has even been suggested that Bermuda grass may be sown with Johnson grass and both then frequently moved. this treat ment finally leaving Bermuda in pos session uf the soil. Even theoretically however none of these methods have any advantage over sheep
 The Arizona Johnson grass law: Recognizing the seriousness of the Johnson grass problem the first state legislature p3 3ssed a law
 l. Prohibiting the transportation b2- "afnmon cnrrers "f .Io9nson grass seeds or plants within the state
 2 Prohibiting commerce in Johnson grass seeds nr plants.
 2. Prohibiting the sowing of John son grass in any form.
 l. Prohibiting the seeding of John son grass along canals. public high ways. or railroad rights of way.
 While this law aims in q general way to check the spread of Johnson "rass especially In irrigated portions of the state. its eradication on culti-- v.'te.l lanrls is matter of individual "ffort on the mart of the farmer. Sheep sre without doubt the most useful and Hconornic mems of accomplishing this and should be considered a necessary part of the eGuipment of any farm. Hire little salesman at The Re publican office. 4 Want Ad will, sec rnofe customers than you cac.. |