How Johnsongrass came to America and spread LANCASTER Farmers have been debating the origin of rhizome John songrass in meetings across Pennsylvania for many years, but few dispute the legendary ability of this yield-robbing weed to make farming a losing proposition when left uncontrolled. There are many theories as to how Johnsongrass, now rated one of the world’s ten worst weed problems, was first introduced to the United States. Some say it was imported from Europe, along with other grasses, by American farmers. Others believe that a man named James Davis-sent to Turkey by the State Dept.- brought back Swiss watches packed for protection in Johnsongrass seeds. But, nobody knows for sure. Once here, this noxious weed was spread rapidly Special price building... has grain storage capabilities! SAVE UP TO 20% ON OPTIONAL GRAIN STORAGE LINER PACKAGES! On-the-farm gram storage is in demand now more than ever A dual purpose Morton Building is the answer a huge gram repository when needed and equipment storage when empty For a limited time, Morton is offering discounts on optional, total or partial gram storage liner packages where you can save up to 20%, plus qualify for government loan programs *13326 For further information mail coupon to the nearest Morton Sales Office listed below AlflJl i ill I tJ Send information on MORTON y4Jy l BUILD|NGS /NO. 1 CHOICE OF FARMERS Serving Central Pa and Maryland RD4, Box 34A Gettysburg, PA 17325 Ph 717-334-2168 Serving North Central Pa Area P 0 Box 937 State College. PA 16801 Ph 814-383-4355 through various means. Seedmen regularly sold Johnsongrass seed to farmers who planted it for hay. “Johnsongrass hay” was a staple of cavalry horses during the Civil War who in turn spread the seeds, which were dispersed in the hay, across the country via their digestive tracts. Additionally, hay was frequently shipped by rail from one encampment to another, and the seeds often escaped from the box cars to infest right-of-ways. In any case, this tough-to control perennial has emerged as one of the far mer’s most difficult weed menaces. And, according to Sheldon Blank, Technical Supervisor and weed control specialist from Monsanto, this is in large measure attributable to its primary means of reproduction. BUY AND BUILD NOW . . . BE READY FOR HARVEST! To take advantage of this outstanding building Serving Eastern Pa and New Jersey Box 126. Philhpsburg, NJ 08865 Ph 201-454-7900 “The laterally-growing underground rhizome system of Johnsongrass can produce over 200 feet of new rhizome growth in a single season from one rootstock, and send up shoots con tinuously if left untreated and undisturbed,” Blank explains. “Johnsongrass competes with planted crops for light, moisture and nutrients. In addition, the rhizomes can act as host to toxic sub stances and diseases such as maize dwarf mosaic and maize chloratic dwarf, which .are common in Johnsongr ass-infested com,” he continues. “These diseases can result m stunted com plants and dwarfed ears in non resistant varieties. ” Blank says it takes only 21 days for seedling John price, we ask your— cooperation with the following Provide a level building site (our salesman will assist with site preparation guidelines), Furnish unloading help, Participate in our 3 payment plan f 1 Down payment, 2 Delivery payment and 3 Completion payment), And accept delivery and erection at Morton Buildings convenience Also note travel expenses will be added if your building site is more than 40 miles from the sales office No sales tax need be added (Price expires April 15, 1980 ) The price shown below is for the building and its construction only and does not include a grain storage liner package 54 x72' erected storage buridmg includes 24'x14 double end door 18'double side door, walk door with glass, 4 skylights white or green Length may be increased in units of 9’ at SI 123 Price does not include gram storage liner package Name Address j Telephone No l J Have your salesman phone for an appointment songrass to develop rhizomes. “If the infestation is severe enough, rhizome Johnsongrass can overtake a field in as little as three years, possibly costing growers an entire harvest,” he contends. Yield losses of 50 percent or more in heavily-infested fields are not unusual, he states. On top of its ability to reproduce through an ex tensive rhizome system, Johnsongrass pamcles have also been shown to be prolific seed producers. “Each panicle is capable of producing as many as 350 seeds,” Bbnk observes. “And, to iiake matters worse, the seeds can remain viable m the soil for up to 25 years, representing a con stant source of reinfestation problems.” Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 12,1980—C27 While cultural practices such as crop rotation may slow the progression of Johnsongrass in a given field, the weed control specialist notes that the rhizomes are likely to continue flourishing. “In general, research has shown that chiseling and discing give effective mechanical control of rhizome Johnsongrass because shortened rhizomes dry out and die faster when brought up to the soil sur face. This practice, however, can also generate more widespread week infestations by spreading localized infestations over an entire field,” he cautions. In the area of chemical control options, Blank notes that contact herbicides have shown the ability to “bum down” Johnsongrass plants to the soil surface The drawback, he feels, is that the rhizomes can still flourish and send up new shoots m a matter of weeks to produce an equally heavy infestation. “Most farmer plaqued with Johngrass infestations know that the only wav to THE TASK MASTERS Jo eer “Little-Big” Diesel Tractors Plowing or planting. Mowing or landscaping. Loading or backhoeing. These John Deere “Little-Big" Tractors are at home in most any working environment. Choose from three models 850, 950, or 1050 with respective horsepower of 22, 27 and 33 at the PTO.* All have 3-cylinder diesel engines with wet- sleeve design for better heat dissipation. Eight-speed transmission. Differential lock. Hand and foot throttles. 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New Holland, PA Lancaster, PA Phone (717)354-4191 Phone (717)291-1046 make their fields productive again is to destroy those underground rhizomes, and that is no easy task,” Blank believes. “For instance, soybean producers and farmers with late-planted corn may fmd that they have actively growing Johnsongrass reaching the boot-to-head stage of growth in time to apply Roundup prior to planting in the spring,” he continues. “Once applied, the chemical reaches the weed’s rhizome system by penetratmg leaf and stem surfaces and translocating down mto the rhizomes, preventing regrowth from this underground network.” A recommended seedling control program should also be employed. While the origins of Johnsongrass remain something of a mystery, area farmers don’t make much of a secret of their desire to eradicate this noxious weed from their acreage. And, with a con sistent program of control measures, they may be able to do just that. \JOHW DCEW J LANDIS BROS. INC.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers