THE MONTHI/S ltrt.I.K I IX. 



91 



Some of the division engineers of the California Highway Commis- 

 sion have commented on this subject as follows: 



Mr. P. G. Somner, headquarters, Willits, says: "In the summer of 

 1915 we obtained authority under Maintenance Requisition No. 186 to 



expend $!K"> in cutthm weeds and burning grass. At that time, on 

 portions of the eompleted road, grass and weeds had grown so rank 

 on the slopes ami shoulders as to be very unsightly and in case of the 

 grass when dry, there was danger of fires being set from the road. 



■'Tin- grass "was burned, generally at night, and the weeds cut with 

 ;i road drag, grader and grubbing hoe. 



"Unless dog fennel is so considered, probably the only noxious weed 

 along the n.ads in this division is what we believe to be the Scotch 

 thistle which grows in Humboldt County, particularly on parts of 

 1 Bum-l-D. Those along the road were cut in 1915, but as they grew 

 thickly beyond the limits of the highway, the effect as far as their 

 extermination is concerned is nil." 



Mr. W. S. Caruthers, headquarters. Sacramento, says: "On account 

 of lack of funds practically the only work done in this division towards 

 tli,. removal of noxious weeds has been an attempt to eliminate the 

 Tellov Star and other thistles on several sections of highway in two 

 counties where our cooperation was requested by the horticultural 

 commissioners. 



"In Solano County a mowing machine was used and the thistle cut 

 as close to the ground as possible with such a machine. Very unsatis- 

 factory results were secured here, as within two weeks the weed had 

 crown six inches and apparently had more blossoms than ever. 



"In Yolo County a more vigorous effort was made at removal; here 

 burning and hoeing were resorted to. 



■'This thistle has a joint close to the ground and can not be touched 

 by mowing but must be hoed. A great deal of Yellow Star and other 

 thistles are to be found along the highways in this division, in some 

 cases almost solid banks being found from the edge of the concrete to 

 the right of way lines for long distances. It will probably cost several 

 thousand dollars a year to handle them if some method of eliminating 

 the pest is not found." 



EXPENDITURES TO DATE. 



Sac-4-A $4 50 



Sac-4-B % 50 



K..T-.V.Y ■• -■' 



Sol 7- A __ £* 



Sol-7-B 7 ? 30 



Sol-7-C 83 30 



Sol- T-I» 77 • 



Y„l 6-A — 207 44 



Tol-6-C 1S 54 



X.. - A I 326 59 



Total t" date $81,2 !>4 



Other weed removal, such as around guardrail, etc 109 19 



Total expended on wed removal $922 10" 



Mr. W. Lewis Clark, headquarters, San Francisco, says: "On all 

 sections an attempt has been made to eliminate mustard, thistles and 

 poison oak. 



