11 



watched, and if new shoots appear they should be taken out at once. In 

 an ordinary season several diggings will be required in order to com- 

 pletely exterminate a patch. 



Detailed Methods. 



Several methods of exterminating the Perennial Sow Thistle are 

 here outlined in detail. They have all been suggested by practical farm- 

 ers. It is hoped that those who are looking for information on this sub- 

 ject will find among them a method suited to their own conditions. 



Method No. i. This method is suggested by Professor Zavitz, who 

 found it effective in the eradication of Quack Grass. Cultivate the field 

 until about the middle of June, running over it frequently with the culti- 

 vator so as to keep the tops down and thus weaken the "roots." Then 

 apply manure at the rate of about 20 tons per acre (12 good loads). Cul- 

 tivate the manure in thoroughly and with a double mould board plow 

 slightly ridge up the land, making the ridges about 26 inches apart. On 

 the ridges sow pasture rape at the rate of i| lbs per acre. It is important 

 that the right amount of rape should be sown, for if too little is sown 

 the stand will not be thick enough to smother the weeds, and if on the 

 other hand too much is sown the plants will be too crowded and not grow 

 vigorously enough to keep ahead of the thistle. Sow the rape when the 

 land is sufficiently moist to insure quick germination of the seed. If the 

 rape is slow in starting the Sow Thistle may get a start in the rows and 

 thus necessitate hand cultivation there. Cultivate the rape every week 

 or ten days until it occupies all the ground and makes further cultivation 

 impossible. If, when the rape is cut or pastured, any Sow Thistles 

 remain, the field should be ridged up the last thing in the fall and put 

 in with a hoed crop the following year. This should not be necessary 

 if a good stand of rape is secured. 



Method No. 2. This is a system of intensive cropping suggested by 

 Professor Zavitz. As soon as a cereal crop is harvested, plow the land and 

 give frequent cultivation to the first or middle of September. Then sow 

 winter rye at the rate of about two bushels per acre. This can be pas- 

 tured the following spring, or cut for hay or grain. As soon as the crop 

 is off the land, put in rape, turnips or buckwheat. The advantage of this 

 system is that three crops are harvested in two years and the Sow Thistle 

 fought at the same time. 



Method No. 3. This method is recommended by Professor Day. 

 Immediately after harvest gang-plow shallow and run over the field sev- 

 eral times with the broad shared cultivator. Later in the fall plow a 

 little deeper, and continue cultivating every week or ten days as long as 

 the season permits. Last thing before the ground freezes rib up the land 

 with a double mould board plow. The following spring give frequent 

 cultivation up to the first of July, then sow pasture rape. 



