56 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Ditch banks should be kept clean as well as levees in the field. For 

 cleaning the banks a strong solution of sodium arsenite should be used, 

 4 pounds to 100 gallons of water. It is better to purchase this material 

 already made up, if possible, as it is very poisonous and hard on the 

 eyes and skin. 



Screens should be placed in the headgates, using a very fine mesh 

 screen for the inner gates. They should be cleaned very frequenth^ so 

 as not to obstruct the flow of the water. 



The following warning to rice growers has just been issued by the 

 Sacramento Valley Development Association : 



WARNING TO RICE GROWERS.* 



To Rice Growers aud Owners of Rice Lands — 



Look out for water grass and other dangerous weed pests. 



If your land is free of these, keep them out. 



If your land is slightly infested, eradicate at once. 



If your land is badly infested, take drastic measures with two purposes in view — 

 first to prevent their spread, second to eradicate or control therp 



Soic clean seed — this is most important. 



Use clean water — screen it if necessary. 



Pull the grass out of your fields : it is lighter green than rice. Use a spud and 

 cut below the crown of the plants. 



If it is too thick to pull, grow cultivated crops and cultivate well. A later 

 bulletin will tell how to do this. 



If your land is foul, don't plant rice this year. You will get a light crop and a 

 low price and your weed problem will be worse next yeai'. Clean your land and 

 clean it now. This will be most economical. Urge your neighbor to clean his at 

 the same time. 



Remember rice is a profitable crop — the most profitable that can be grown on much 

 of the rice lands — and that it will continue profitable provided only these weeds are 

 kept under conti'ol. 



Water grass seed in your rice means a lower price for your crop. 



Water grass seed on your land means no rice in the near future. 



Don't underestimate the importance of the rice weed problem. The profits of the 

 industry depend upon its being solved, and it must be solved right away. 



Don't imagine you can kill these weeds by growing barley. You can't. To kill 

 them after they are well set is a big job and will cost money. 



Don't be afraid to spend money when they first appear. This is the time to kill 

 them, the time when eradication is easiest and cheapest. 



Land owners leasing lands for rice culture should REQUIRE lessees to keep 

 fields, borders aud ditches clear of these weeds. Put it in the lease and enforce it. 

 Reserve the right to do it at the expense of lessee — then do it at the right time if 

 he does not. 



Ditch companies should keep their ditches absolutely free of these weed pests. 

 County roads must be kept clean. 



These things can all be done. They will pay. They must be done. 



Every farmer should study the above, and follow the advice given. 



Morning Glory (Convolvulus arvensis). — There are three methods 

 employed against this weed, all of which are effective and of value in 

 their place. 



Smothering has been practised on small patches of morning glory, 

 Canada thistle, creeping malva, and others with considerable success. 

 It has been tried especially where the pest had not become scattered, 



♦Bulletin No. 1, issued by the Rice Committee of the Sacramento Valley Develop- 

 ment Association. 



