The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1921-07-01
Weed Control Excursions

One hundred and seventy-tWO
people attended the weed control
excursions held IN Latah County
during the past week under the
auspices Of the county farm bureau.
Excursions were held in eight COM
munities. The objects OF these
meetings were to make all who at
tended familiar with the noxlous
weeds of their community and of
Latah County; to study control
methods of these weeds; and to
create a greater interest in the con-
troll of noxlous weeds. In instances
where some of the noxious weeds
OF the county were not growing in a
community. specimens were taken
IN for Identification and study.
b. F. Sheehan, State Pure Seed
Commissioner, and Field Agronom-
ist of the Extension Division of the
University OF Idaho, assisted County
Agent o. S. Fletcher and the local
weed control committeeman IN con-
Quoting these excursions. Prof.
K. K. Bennett, head of the agron-
omy department of the University
of Idaho, substituted tor Mr.. Shee-
han on Monday.
Following the excursion, Mr..
tSheehan prepared the following
suggestions in regard to the con-
troll of weeds IN Latah County.
A week of weed excursions in
Iatah County has shown that there
are several noxious weeds gaming
a strong foothold on many farms
over the county. Chief among
these are the Canadian Thistle,
Wild Morning Glory, quack grass,
perennial milk weed, fanweed and
jim Hill mustard.
For the proper control of these
weeds it is, of course, first neces.
.sary to appreciate their seriousness
There are many farms in the west
where some one or two of these
weeds have not only made prof,
able farming difficult, but have
caused land values to receed great
ly. Control measures have been de-
monstrated, but they have succeed
ed only after painstaking and un
tirlng work on the part of the In
dividual doing the work.
Probably 80 percent of the serious
. weeds appearing on many Lataf
County farms have been introduced
IN grass seed purchased. Dissemin
alton has resulted from threshln{
machines in many instances. Ii
the case of the perennial plants
such as Canada Thistle and will
morning glory one can find wher
heavy infectation of the farm ha
resulted from carrying many of tn
underground root stocks from plac
to place by farm machinery. Thl
has happened before the indlvidua
was familiar with the seriousness
of the weed and before precaution
were taken to confine and eradlcat
the weeds.
With the weed problem, it is frs
necessary to eliminate the 20:
sibllity of buying grass seed j
which seed of noxious weed seed
may be present. Buy only hig
grade, tested seeds. Beware 0
cheap seed. Low priced seed usua
ly means low quality. When j
doubt as to quality, send sampl
to your state seed testing labor;
tory to make sure of what you al
getting.
In the eradication of the perez
NAL plants such as wild mornln
glory or Canada Thistle, realize
the outset that 1t is gong to be r
small job. Also remember tn;
these plants propagate by thier III
derground root stocks which enab
them to live and reproduce withol
seed production.
Contine the infested area and G
not try to farm it. A single plos
ing and dlsking every year only i
vlgorates its growth. Plan to sta
after the patcn when the plants a
most susceptible. This is usual
just before they are ready to matu
seed and it is at this time when ol
can expect the dryest and hottie
weather, which will make the wo
more effective.
Flowing just deep enough to tu
the major portion of the unde
ground roofing system to the ST
face is advisable. This depth @