1909.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 71 



lated to quite an extent. Not enough tests were made, however, 

 to fully determine the value of this substance, but from the few 

 which were made, and from a knowledge of its constituents, it is 

 safe to say that it will no doubt be found useful in exterminat- 

 ing certain classes of weeds. 



Special Device for killing Weeds. — A recent device for de- 

 stroying weeds on walks and drives is known as the Buckeye 

 Weed Burner. This consists of a boiler mounted on two wheels, 

 weighing about 350 pounds, pushed about by hand. The burn- 

 ers are supplied with air under 30 pounds' pressure. It is 

 claimed by the manufacturers of this contrivance that roots, 

 seeds and foliage are destroyed more quickly and cheaply than 

 can be done by hand. The machine is also used for melting 

 snow and ice on drives and sidewalks in winter. 



A few vears aeo an electric weed killer was devised for de- 

 stroying weeds on electric railroad tracks. This consists of a 

 powerful dynamo mounted on a railroad truck and propelled by 

 steam. A series of small wires led from the dynamo to the 

 ground, and when these wires came in contact with the plants 

 they were electrocuted. This weed killer has apparently not 

 been extensively used, and perhaps did not prove to be satis- 

 factory. It is very evident that it would require a very power- 

 fid electric discharge to kill weeds in this way. 



Various devices have been descriljed for killiuo; weeds bv 

 injecting chemicals into them, but it is a question whether 

 spudding and hand pulling would not kill them as cheaply. 



Other Methods of I'illing Weeds. — There are many reliable 

 methods of destroying weeds other than by the use of chemicals. 

 The oldest and most valuable method is by cultivation. Besides 

 the use of the cultivator and hoe, which are of great value in 

 destroying weeds and benefiting the soil, gang plows and dif- 

 ferent types of harrows may be used. For the permanent 

 destruction of weeds, however, much depends upon the method 

 used, the amount of cultivation and the time at which the cul- 

 tivating is done. The practice of rotating crops and the plowing 

 up of mowings and keeping them in a state of cultivation for a 

 few years constitutes one of the most valuable methods of re- 

 moving certain noxious weeds. 



Pasturing land containing noxious growths with sheep or 



