The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-03-29
DESTROY WHITE TOP
SEEDS BY FLOWING,
SAYS PURDUE EXPERT

A remedy for the troublesome white !
top as well as for others of the worst
weed pests, and an explanation of the
state seed labelling law, were given
by A. A. Hansen of Purdue at meet |
ing of the Wayne township farmers
association in the courthouse Tuesday
night
White-top, which is prevalent in
Wayne county, may be killed by plow-
ing at the proper time, said the speak
er. Rosettes, or clumps of leaves
form on the plant near the ground in
the fall and it lives over until the next
year when seeds are formed. These
seeds are microscopic in size, and
contained in a wfthered husk so large
in comparison to the seed, that it ap-
pears to be empty, causing many
farmers to believe that the weed pro-
duces no seed.
The presence of white-top infesta-
ton in a field, especially in oats or
meadows where it is most trouble
some, can be detected by looking for
the rosettes in spring. If present.
the weed will be found in the crop,
and may take the ground. if no other
cultivation than discing is given. As
discing is usually the only preparation
for oats, the spread of the weed has
been easy.
II many weeds are found, however,
the ground should be plowed and the
fields will be freed within one year
Advises Moving
Persistent moving of fence rows
and of road sides was strongly urged
by Mr.. Hansen, who presented start
ling figures as to the speed with which
such weed centers may infest clean
fields. The Russian thistle produces
million seeds to plant. count
made personally by Mr.. Hansen of a
number of oxeye daisies also showed
an average of 5000 seeds to plant.
The best method for killing weeds by
moving, requires two mowings, one in
the middle of June and one about the
middle of August.
During the June moving, the sickle
bar should be carried about six inches
above the ground. Many weeds will
form heads close to the surface il
cut off close but this method allows
such weeds to send out new shoots
that grow to height where they car
be reached by the second moving
which is made close to the ground
No seeds have time to form after the
last moving.
Discusses Seed Law
The new Indiana seed law was the
first subject discussed by Mr.. Han
sen. Before passage of this law las
year. Indiana was the dumping ground
for all poor, dirty and impure seed il
the country. he stated. The law doe!
not exclude such seed now. but re
quires truthful tagging, so that thu
buyer may know what he is getting
Enforcement of the law rests with the
same force, and the same methods arr
used. as for enforcing the feed ant
fertilizer tagging laws.
Farmers must read the labels ant
choose their seed, stated Mr.. Hansen
for the law to be of any benefit il
cleaning up the weeds. Seeds shoult
$50 to 200 weed seeds per pound an
on no account should the worst weeds
dodder or Canada thistle, be brough
onto farms in any seeds.
Examination to find what makes u
the impurity of seeds is more impol
tant than looking for a high percen
of purity, said the speaker. sampl
tag of SO percent pure red clover see
was shown in comparison with anothe
tag which showed only "a percen
purity. The SO percent sample col
tanned 2,240 buckhorn seeds, Is
bracted plantain, 80 Canada thisu
and 90 dodder per pound. On tn
other hand, the "a percent sample
also of red clover, contained only
buckhorn and As curled dock seed
per pound, the rest of the impurit
being alfalfa, sweet clover, broke
seed and dirt.
Cites Example.
kc ~, oya YonIa the infpStati0
possible from sample containin
weed seeds, Mr.. Hanson cited a
analysis of a sample such as it is NJ
unusual to receive at the laboratorie
This sample had 33 percent wee
seed. There were $3.50 buckhol
seeds. 1920 plantain, 80 bracted pla
tain. and 10 dodder seeds in poun
With an eight-pound seeding per acr
there would be, in square rod, 2!
buckhorn, 121 plantain, four bractt
plantain, and on every other rod,
dodder plant.
Mr.. j. Z. Scholl, manager of Il
United States Grain Growers mel
bership campaign in the county, MAJ
an explanation of the corporation Al
its plans, preliminary to the Way
township campaign just starting. |
reported that 80 per cent of the acl
age in Center township, ~ per cent
Abingdon and rs to so per cent
Boston, has been signed up, with sc
eral land owners yet to be visited.
That the company contemplates
exorbitant price fixing policy or cou
make it effective, was denied by
Scholl, who pointed out that excessi
prices would mean new grain acI
age and supplies which would wre
high prices.
Membership in the corporation M