EXTERMINATION OF WEEDS 9 1 



has well emphasized the importance of cultural methods 

 in the extermination of perennial weeds. The horse net- 

 tle is quite as difficult to destroy as any of the perennial 

 weeds. Like milkweed, it produces a long root, some- 

 times three to four feet long and when the root is sev- 

 ered, it produces buds that form new plants. The 

 "smothering" method has proven efficacious. This is 

 probably the most effective and at the same time the 

 least expensive method of removing horse nettle. Rape 

 is probably the most suitable crop to employ for this pur- 

 pose. If the soil is not already rich, a liberal dressing of 

 barnyard manure should be applied during the winter or 

 spring and the soil should be harrowed or cultivated fre- 

 quently until the time of seeding, which may be at any 

 time during the months of May or June. This cultiva- 

 tion will prevent weed growth and at the same time will 

 assist in the retention of moisture. If the rape is sown 

 in drills, about two pounds of seed per acre is a sufficient 

 quantity, and three pounds if sown broadcast. 



When the crop has attained a rank growth it may be 

 pastured or removed and fed to stock. Where land is 

 lacking in vegetable matter, it is a good practice to plow 

 the crop under when it is properly matured. The latter 

 is not necessary when the object is merely to destroy the 

 nettle, as the rank growth of the crop is very effective in 

 completely smothering the weed. 



Other Methods. Planting to. corn or roots is a method 

 much in vogue for the destruction of horse nettle. As in 

 the method described above, the plant should be kept 

 down before seeding time. When the crop appears above 

 ground, the use of the horse and hand hoes should be un- 

 sparing. When the welfare of the crop prohibits the use 

 of the horse hoe, the hand hoe should be used at intervals 

 until the crop is removed, and even then it may be neces- 

 sary to give attention to this pest. There is no question 

 about this mode of treatment being effective if properly 



