The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-07-24
COUNTY SUPREME
IN SEED GROWTH
IF WEEDS KILLED
Expert Says Control of
Noxious Weeds Vital
Importance

siOner, who has been in Blackfoot
and Bingham county during the past
week conducting demonstrations in
weed Identification and weed con-
troll, is thoroughly convinced that
led opportunities for becoming the
foremost small seed producing Sec
ton of the United States and Is one
of the most enthusiastic boosters for
this county and section in that in
dustry. However, Mr.. Allison warns
those interested in the actual pro-
duction of seed as we'll as those
the success of the industry and the
greater prosperity to come with the
fuller development of seed produc-
ton, that it is of vital Importance
to keep the country freed from the
destructive effect of noxious weeds.
Pointing out the dangers from this
source Mr.. Allison says:
UNLESS more attention is given to
the control of the noxious weeds, the
cost of producing seeds in Idaho
will mount to a point where the
losses will be greater than the in
dustry can stand" Mr.. Allison de-
clares. In support of this assertion
he has figures showing just what
the losses from noxious weeds to
Idaho farmers specializing in small
seed were for 1928.
Taking red clover as the first IL
lustration, we find Idaho produced
100000 pounds last year. Had
this entire amount been No. grade
it would have brought the growers
at IS cents per pound, $648,00O.
The figures here are from the Unit
ed States crop reporting service, the
gradings from the state seed labora-
tory, and to enable comparison all
prices are figured on the basis of the
December 1 market at Boise. But
the red clover crop was divided.
Twenty per cent, or 100000 pounds
went as extra No. 1 and No. 1 and
brought the top price for return
of $129,6OO Fifty per cent, 1,80O,-
600 pounds, went into the No. 2 and
No. 3 grades and brought $252,000
at IA cents per pound, while 80 per
cent, 1,080,000 pounds, went as no
grade and brought 9 cents for a
total of $4,000. The total actual
return was but $47S,80O, represent
ing loss of $169;20O from the sum
that would have been derived had
The seed been pure. The noxious
weeds were the factors contributing
to the impurity.
Sheep used Successfully
The success of sheep in the south
srn Idaho weed district, which en-
braces the counties of Twin Falls,
Jerome, Minidoka, Cassia and Good
ng, has led the state seed commits
'ioner and other agronomists inter-
,sted in the same proposition to be-
ieve that the sheep are a great help.
Although there are some weeds in
IDAHO to which the sheep do not re-
pond, careful grazing, together with
cutting before the plants ripen, has
Eept the weed menace down to q
minimum in regions where it is prac-
iced The southern district terri
DRY extends northward to the Min
doka dam. The new destrict which
Allison believes will
,e organized soon will start there
nd embrace the territory northward
o Idaho Falls and Ashton. The sec
nd district will include the Grimm
Italia growing region contiguous to
producer of approximate
Y 80 per cent of all the certified
irimm seed used in the United
tates. Agronomists are particular
Y desirable of forming this second
istrict as an added means of pro-
Getting Idaho's supremacy in the
+rimm seed world.
Experiments are also being con-
ucted this summer with sprays.
alta are being recorded and II any
prays are found satisfactory they
i'll be recommended for more
'idespread use next summer. But,
sgardless of the success of sprays,
le department is urging flock of
leep on every farm.
The field demonstrations are per-
APPS the most valuable phase of Mr..
hlson's work at present for In them
3 does Identification work, teach
Il the farmers to recognize the
eeds that are their worst enemies.
Though the activities of the uni
,rsity extension division are con-
antly accomplishing results. there
e many seed growers yet unable
identity the several kinds of weeds
assed as noxiously by the state seed
boratory. Several cases are cited
: Mr.. Allison wherein farmers were
und going to much expense pulling
harmless weeds, tha
eds of which could be removed by
inning, while weeds considered nox-