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Show Need For Intensified Control of Puncture Weed Told By Anson Call By ANSON B. CALL County Agricultural Agent I have been noticing for the past two or three years that the California Cali-fornia Puncture vine (Tribulus trrestrias) has been spreading a great deal. I believe it is worse this year than ever before. We find it along Highway 91, along the streets and in practically every block in town, along sidewalks side-walks and ditcrr banks, on school grounds, and public squares. This weed apparentty does not do very much damage, and it acts as a cover crop that some people may like to see as it covers up some of the ground that would otherwise other-wise be bare. The plant will probably prob-ably have a spread of five to seven feet and may produce as high as one to two quarts of burrs. Very Detrimental This plant is really very detrimental, detri-mental, causing punctures in bicycle bi-cycle and automobile tires, and causing definite discomfort should children be barefoot around where it is. I don't believe we realize the seriousness of the weed or we would not allow it to grow in feed crops such as alfalfa or other forage crops, it becomes a serious thing as the dry burrs get into the mouths of the animals ani-mals and they just simply are not able to chew the hay. Consequently, Conse-quently, a greta deal of loss results re-sults from this. The California Puncture vine is listed as one of the noxious weeds in the State of Utah, and according accord-ing to law, places where it is found should be quarantined and cleaned up, but any law must have the support of the individuals who live within the locality before be-fore it is effective. It is my belief be-lief that we should take it upon ourselves to rid our premises of this week as soon as possible. I There are several ways this I weed can be controlled. Clean 'cultivation in our garden spots will control it, and hoeing the root off very' carefully, gathering the vine in piles and leaving it there until dry. and then burning it is an effective method of control con-trol along ditch banks and sidewalks. side-walks. Quito often, however, a large number of burrs drop from the vines and become covered with (Continued on page eight) Puncture Weed Control (Continued from first page) soil. These lav dormant for any number of years and then, if they are turned close to the surface or the moisture condition is right, they germinate and you get a mass of burrs after three, four or five years of clean cultivation. Another Method Another method: If the vine is large and there are a number of burrs, it can be sprayed with diesel oil. This will kill most of the burrs if they are not too mature ma-ture that is, if they are not hard so that the oil will penetrate. The oil will have little effect if the burr is hard, but if the plant is not too mature, it acts as a good control measure. We should realize the importance impor-tance of the eradication of this weed. In some localities the school children have been instructed in-structed as to the seriuosness of it and you find them stopping in their play to kick it out with their shoes, or to pull it out. I think this method, together with the cooperation of property owners, own-ers, would do much toward accomplishing ac-complishing the elimination of this pest. |