Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1914-06-23
MAKE A NOTE OF THIS
ELIMINATE WEEDS FROM DIRT
BY THIS PROCESS.
Cheap and Effective Method Recon-
mended by the Agricultural
Department.

There being a movement in Dalla:
to eradicate the persistent growth Of
weeds it may be timely to mention tha
oil or salt are the most satisfactory
harmless products to use for the pur-
pose. Sidewalk crevices, garder
paths, gravel roads and railroad
''rights of way" where people pass
frequently may also be treated with
these remedies. Arsenate of soda is
also to be recommended if it is used
carefully, as it is poisonous both to
men and livestock Until rain or
sprinkling washes away the applica-
ton, it might cause trouble, although
it would have to be taken internally
to do so. Special conditions decide
which of these three substances is
most desirable. Fuel oil, when it can
be obtained cheaply, is highly salts
factory and economical for killing
vegetation. 1t should be applied at
the rate of from 100 to $50 gallons
per acre. On tennis court or other
small area kerosene, although more
expensive, may be used satisfactorily,
as the total amount needed will be
small. The petroleum on grass and
other vegetation possessing narrow
leaves.
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 eff
feet the roots as well 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 application demands
their use. On a small area like
tennis court however, the oil or kero-
sene may be applied through sprink-
ling can.
Common salt is not so effective as
oil on grass and narrow-leafed vege-
tation, but is better than arsenite of
soda. When the vegetation is very
rank, salt will be found very desir-
able and should be used at the rate
of from two to three tons per acre,
depending upon the rankness 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 saturated solution, one
pound being mixed with a quart and
a half of water. The salt brine should
be applied by means of sprinkling
can, or sprinkler, which applies it
faster than spraying outfit.
Vegetation with broad leaves seems
especially susceptible to arsenite of
soda. The commercial grade may be
obtained at about 25 cents pound
from some of the wholesale chemists.
If 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 stock solution is form
ID. Twenty pounds of the commercial
arsenite soda, or fourteen pounds of I
The white arsenic in the above form
lla, either one diluted to make 100
gallons of solution, is sufficient to kill
most Of the foliage on one acre.
Naturally great care should be exer-
Used in mixing and handling these ]
preparations not to get them on the
lands or near the face. as this might y
esult in their being taken internally. !
t used in accordance with this pre- J
aution, this poison should not cause
npury to any one, although children
hould be kept off the area treated i'm |
nediately after the application.