The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-06-25
Oil for Troubled Tennis Courts

Washington, June 25.-To eradicatet
vegetation from dirt tennis courts
troubled with persistent growths of
grass or weeds, oil or salt are the most
satisfactory harmless products. Side
walk crevices, garden paths, gravel
roads and railroad rights Of way
where people pass frequently may also
be treated with these remedies. Ar
semitic of soda is also to be recon-
mended if it is used carefully, as it
is poisonous both to men and livestock.
Until a rain or s%prinkling washes
away the application, it might u
trouble, although it would have to be
taken internally to do so. Special con-.
ditions decide which of these three
substances is most desirable.
Fuel oil, when it can be obtained
cheaply, is highly satisfactory and
economical for killing vegetation. 1t
should be applied at the rate Of frorh
100 to $50 gallons per acre. On a ten
mis- court or other small area, kero-
sene, although more expensive. may be
used satisfactorily, as the total
amount needed will be small. The pc
troleum products are particularly eff
fective On grass and other vegetatoin
possessing narrow leaves.
Several Light Applications Best.
The most economical and effective
way to use the oil is to make a num-
Der of comparatively light applica-
tions. One heavy application may
affect the roots as we'll as the tops of
the plants, but the several light appli-
cations kill the foliage each time and
eventually the roots die.
A spraying outfit may be used to
apply the oil. Petroleum products are
very hard on the rubber parts OF
spraying outfits, but economy of ap-
plication demands their use. On a
small area like a tennis court, how
ever, the oil or kerosene may be ap-
Piled through a sprinkling can.
Common salt Is not so effective as
oil on grass and narrow-leafed vegeta-
ton, but it Is better than arsenite Of
soda. When the vegetation Is very
rank, salt will be found very desira-
BILE, and should be used at the rate of
from two to three tons per acre, de-
pending upon the Tankness of the
| growth. The salt should be fine
grained, free from Jumps, and should
be scattered very uniformly. To Sc
cure the best results, it should be made
into a saturated solution, n pound
being mixed with a quart n a half
Of water. The salt brine should be
applied by means of a sprinkling can
or sprinkler, which applies it faster
than a spraying outfit.
Should Be Used With Care.
Vegetation with broad leaves seems
especially susceptible to arsenite OF
soda. The commercial grade may be
obtained at about. twenty-five cents a
pound from some of the wholesale
| chemists. II. large areas are to be
treated, it can be made more cheaply
by boiling one pound Of white arsenic
and two pounds Of sal soda in a gallon
Of water until a stock solution Ii
formad Twenty rounds Of the com
mercial arsenite of soda, or fourteen
pounds Of the white arsenic in the
above formula, either one diluted tc
make 100 gallons of solution. is suffi
Gent to kill most of the foliage or
one acre. Naturally great care Should
be exercised in mixing and handling
these preparations not to. get them or
the hands or near he face, as this
might result in their being taken in