The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-06-13
USE ARSENIC TO
DESTROY TREES
Often Desirable to Employ Some
Method Surer Than That of
GirdIing. ~
AUSTRALIAN Plan IS GOOD
Useful Directions for Making Poison
Solution for Quick and Effective
Work In All Kinds Of Timber
Are Given.

prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF Asriculture.)
In cleaning up pasture land or clear
ing new land for crops it is often
desirable to kill trees by some method
surer and quicker than the old-time
method Of glrdling. In dealing with
the kinds Of trees which sprout from
the stump, such as the oaks, hicko-
ries, and red gum, a reliable method
Of killing Is especially needed.
For the purpose of poisoning trees,
arsenic has been successfully used in
both this and other countries, often
killing trees In few weeks or few
days which by the simple girdling
process would require months. Useful
directions for making up a poison So
luton for quick and effective work in
all kinds of timber, together with the
method Of application are given be-
low, quoted from a recent number of
the Australia Forestry Journal. In
Australia, 1t appears, much investiga-
ton has been widely used with ex-
celIent results.
Formula Found Good. ~.
. Following is the formula: IM1
Arsenic. 1 pound. G3EITT
Whiting, n pound.
Water. gallons.
Washing soda, 1 pound, or caustic soda,
"a pound.
Since the ordinary white arsenious
oxide of commerce is not soluble in
water to any great degree, soda has
to be used for the purpose. When
large amounts of the poison are de-
sired washing soda will be cheaper,
but for small amounts caustic soda
will perhaps be found the handiest.
To prepare the solution, first dis
solve the soda (either form) in a con-
venient amount Of water, using heat,
If desirable, to assist and hasten it;
then slowly add the arsenic, previously
made into thin paste Gas the house
wife treats her corn-four), stirring
all the time; place on a strong fire,
and after it has come to the boil, al
low 1t to remain boiling for at least
half an hour; stir from time to time,
and be careful to stand on the side
away from the fumes, as, being pois-
onous, they are apt to cause sickness.
When the arsenic is thoroughly dis
solved, the solution may be made up
to the required bulk by adding the
remainder Of the water, either hot
OF cold. Tho whiting Is added merely
to serve as an indicator Of the trees
treated. as 1t turns white on drying.
Winter Best Season.
The best time for carrying on the
operation of poisoning is when the
tree II dormant, or during the ser
1saths. Thu will most surely .Jre
veat snckering, although trees can
- killed practically any time of the
year.
In applying the poison, the tree is
Arst gir1led by series Of heavy down.
ward strokes Of the ak through the
bark and well into the wood, leaving
the chips protruding outward in a
"frill" extending completely around
the tree. 1t Is necessary that this
'frilling" process be thoroughly done,
which alone would ordinarily kill the
tree after some time. A half pint
for small trees to quart for very
large trees Of the poison In then poured
into the Clipped surface, taking care
to saturate the wood thoroughly. An
old teapot or kettle with a spout
serves well the purpose of pouring
without needless waste or spilling
down the trees. Sapllngs may be cut
or low down and the poison applied
over the stump by swab stick. II
this is done when the sap is down
the tree.will be completely killed and
suckering prevented.