Arizona republican., 1915-09-11
Where the People
 May Have Hearing

To the Editor of The Republican;
 Sir:-I am no farmer or agriculturist and for that reason it may be that the apprehensions I am about to voice may evoke complacent smiles from those who are better informed. However that may be, l have an idea that is bullet proof It is that the continued prosperity of the inhabitants of thiE valley is largely, some might say en- tirely, dependent upon the maintained productivity of the soil under irriga- tion. If that productivity is for any reason reduced, every one in this val ley is bound to feel the pinch of cur tailed business and lessened prosperity
 I may be wrong about this (hope | ann but since I am an interested citi- zen, this apprehension troubles me and want to get it off my mind. l hope that some kind hearted agriculturalist may come forward and show me that am borrowing trouble. If I am right I may start some one with power to act effectively thinking on what appears to me to be genuine menace.
 It is this Johnson grass. I know the name is the same, but 1 can prove an alibi. Not responsible
 I have had poured into my ears woe full tales of loss and failure by some of the travellers from the states of Texas and Oklahoma. The burden of their plaint is Johnson Grass. Fields that once waved with grain and gladdened the hearts of the farmers by abundant yields fell the victims of a progressive disease that proved to be as incurable as leprosy. After years of unremitting and unrewarded fighting many gave up in despair, sold out their lands at $500 per acre. lands that by careful hus- bandry had risen in value to $150.00 per~acrc before the advent of the dreaded grass. I am informed that the most radical methods employed by these despairing agriculturists failed entirely to destroy the grass. Every attempt at it's destruction was mocked by ranker growths Nothing will de- stroy it that will not also destroy the fertility of the soil. oil will kill it, salt will kill it-but these two remedies are as fatal as the disease. Where it has fastened it's deeply driven roots no crops of value can be produced IL grows rank and gross choking out crops that are planted in fields where it's roots exist.
 The state legislatures of Texas and Oklahoma came to tardy realization of the plague that had irredeemably blighted the lands, and. like the be- reaved horse owner who locks the stable door after the visit of the thief. enacted drastic laws assessing heavy fines and punishment against all land owners who permitted the hated grass to produce seed.
 But how about this valley? It does not i require the trained eye of the farmer to see this grass growing on every hand. Even the casual observer de- tects it. It grows rankly along the edges of every canal-I believe I would not be far wrong if I said every foot of canal bank. The laterals and ditches are bordered with it. many fields are taken with it. It grows abundantly on the vacant lots and rOadsides. On eV- cry hand 1t may be seen going to seed What are you going to do about if? Are we not sitting idly by >blindly ob- ! llvious to the spread of this creeping destroyer? Are we going to let the sad experiences of the farmers of Texas and Oklahoma teach us nothing?
 R. D. o. JOHNSON. FhoenlX, Sept 10, 1915.