350 COMMON WEEDS 



Carbolic acid is another weed destroyer which can be 

 used with satisfactory results. " Mr. W. Sowerby, of 

 the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, reports that 

 for killing vegetation and preventing its growth on 

 gravel walks he found that carbolic acid in very dilute 

 solutions (one part of No. 5 quality in one hundred 

 parts water) was the best, retaining its effect longer 

 than any other." 



Copper sulphate (bluestone), used as a 5 to 10 per 

 cent solution, will quickly kill weeds on drives, paths, 

 and courtyards. 



Sulphate of iron is also an effective weed killer, but 

 requires to be employed in much stronger solutions 

 than copper sulphate. Solutions of 15 to 25 per cent 

 may be used. 



Sulphuric acid may also be used for combating weeds 

 on paths, the most suitable proportions being 4 parts 

 of crude sulphuric acid to 100 of water. Mixing 

 should be done in a wooden pail, and the solution 

 should be passed as quickly as possible through a rose 

 watering-can, which should be well rinsed out im- 

 mediately after use. In applying such corroding solu- 

 tions it is well to cover the ground while walking 

 backwards. 



Hydrochloric acid in the form of a 2 to 4 per cent 

 solution may replace sulphuric acid. 



Patent weed-killers are sold by many firms, and, as 

 a rule, are very effective when used as directed by 

 the makers. 



Yellow arsenical sheep-dip, made up with water exactly 

 as for sheep-dipping, has been recommended as a 

 weed-killer for paths. 2 



Boiling water freely applied through a rose watering- 



1 Horticultural Directory, p. 45. 



2 W, M. T. in Farmer and Stock Breeder, August 5, 1907. 



