EXTERMINATION OF WEEDS 101 



"Weed sprays, when properly adapted, should be avail- 

 able for the destruction of the larger portion of our pas- 

 ture and grain field infesting weeds, when the methods 

 are rightly and economically developed. It would cer- 

 tainly be a travesty on our methods of culture to expect 

 to substitute weed sprays for culture in the growing crop, 

 such as in corn fields and the like." 



Lawn Spraying. It is desirable to spray a lawn for 

 dandelion, or chickweed ; for this purpose a hand sprayer 

 with a Vermorel type of nozzle can be used. I am of the 

 opinion that this spray will be very valuable for lawns and 

 parks. Professor Bolley, who originated the idea to use 

 this substance for lawns, recommends two pounds to the 

 gallon of water. We have found that iron sulphate will 

 do effective work in killing dandelions when a much 

 weaker solution is used, namely, one pound to a gallon of 

 water. This solution should be applied when the dan- 

 delion begins to bloom or later, a few days after the lawn 

 has been mowed. It is best to spray on a bright day. A 

 dew will help, perhaps, because the iron sulphate can en- 

 ter the stomata. Many other weeds of the lawn can be 

 treated in the same way. Spraying should find general 

 application. It should be borne in mind, however, that 

 this substance will not destroy crab grass, foxtails or 

 other weedy grasses and that it is injurious to clovers. 



Meadows and Pastures. Iron sulphate spray can be 

 used for many types of weeds like the ragweed in pas- 

 tures, dandelion, etc., but not where clover is abundant. 



Grain Fields. Iron sulphate should certainly be used 

 in the grain fields; by its judicious use a larger grain 

 crop can be produced and such weeds as mustard and king- 

 head can be eliminated. Manufacturers should introduce 

 better machinery. 



Precautions. The iron sulphate should be of the gran- 

 ulated form. The solution should not stand overnight; 

 it should be made up in wooden barrels and then placed 



