The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-04-14
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 Agriculture.)
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 girdling. In dealing with
the kinds Of trees which sprout from
the stump, such as the oaks, hicko-
ries and red gum, 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 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 q recent number of
the Australia Forestry Journal. In
Australia, it appears, much investiga-
ton has been widely used with ex-
cellent results.
Formula Found Good. II
Following is the formula: i9E
Arsenic. pound. l0akE
Whiting, " pound
Washing soda. / 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-
but for small amounts caustic soda
will perhaps be found the handiest.
To prepare the solution, first dis
solve the soda (either form) In con-
venient amount of water, using heat,
If desirable, to assist and hasten it;
then slowly add the arsenic, previously
made into a thin paste Gas the house
wife treats her corn-f1our), stirring
all the time; place on strong fire,
and after it has come to the boil, al
low it 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-
OiOuo, tAiSJ a z. dPt " NodoC oiNhiCso,o'
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 |
or cold. The whiting is added merely |
to serve as an indicator of the trees |
treated. as it turns white on drying.
Winter Best Season.
Tho host t;r,,o for oorrvfpr on tho |
operation Of poisoning is when the
tree is dormant, or during the winter
This will most surely pre-
vent suckering, although trees can
be killed practically any time of the
year.
In applying the poison, the tree is
first girdled by series of heavy down
ward strokes Of the ak through the
park and we'll into the wood, leaving
he chips protruding outward in a
'frill" extending completely around
he tree. 1t is necessary that this
frilling" process be thoroughly done,
which alone would ordinarily kill the
rec after some time. A half pint
or small trees to quart for very
arge trees of the poison is then poured
nto the Clipped surface, taking care
o saturate the wood thoroughly. An
I'D teapot or kettle with a spout
serves well the purpose Of pouring
Without needless waste or splitting |
Town the trees. Saplings may be cut
If low down and the poison applied
'ver the stump by a swab stick. If
his is done when the sap is down
he tree will be completely killed and
prevented.