Vol. 16—1962 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

initial defoliation was evident late in July on sumac, wild cherry, and locust
in the treated area. We also obtat:ned considerableir~S8 kill and good ,ffect
upon most weeds,
This experiment was c~ted to give uS..~ look at a new tool fo~
application and it was our conel.albn that accura.teccontrol of pattern and
concentration was obtained. The tool is fast and is not hindered by traitlc.
The payload capadty is rather' •• 11 and loglstics\lecome a problem. We
have not furthered our use of thtstool, but several other railroads have done
so.
I have trouble pronouncing some of the names of chemicals that we
deal with and my ability to posiUv.ly identify a s~tie of plant is ratbetlim­
Ite d, This is a highly specializji:Uield and the problem is only one of many
that we have in our everyday work of maintaining a railroad property, But
it is an important problem, and * that cannot be ignored.
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I, for one, do not expe;t,perrect control -c'omplete elimination of all
plant life within a,reas that we trea,t. I even questl,n whether such an ~d
development would be morally gQOd - it might con~~vably be come anot.r
cold war weapon and potentially, DJOn dangeroul tban any prelently known. I
think most of us will accept a ci)nkol that keeps down objectionable weeas and
tall growing grallel. We need to keep growth out of the ballast section beneath
our track •• o'that drainaSln. not blocked, Vie want surface drai!age
to get out of the ballast section and into our drain':,. ditches. We want,"
sufficient grQwth,preferably of the low growing typ. that has good root., so
that the slopes of our cuts and fill~.do not erode a~ay; The modern highway
letl a good example. but we do not,.have their acce,. to tax dollars to pe~mit
us to have oUr rljht of way look like a continuous -park. We mUlt have 'control
at a price that we can afford to pay. I do not question that we could obt~in the
ideal results by using chemicals that are available today, but it would take so
many different o~I,and luchqu.nt~ties, that we cannot presently afford the
ideal. We remain hopeful th.at t~re may be so~ ,all-purpose chemica,\ tn
lome laboratory that will permit.o!&r
• .
objectives ~ remain
,
within ourpuclgets
I
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So, in avery real sense, we are dependent upon relearch that is ,being
carried forward.; We want to cooperate with thelepeople and we admire their
high standardl, both as individuals and al companles. I value my auoclation
with sales representatives in thtsfleld because th4t..'yare knowledgeable !gentlemen
and keep UI all informed ofd~velopments -: ~~ind them very patienr :wlth
people like myself and I thinktbey give me honestaDlwere - it remainsi up to
me to properly weigh their entm.8ialm for their productl. I value the advice,
the concern for our problem, the cooperation and the follow-up lervice.,that
we receive from those, who apply our control program. I particularly appreciate
being here today because I feel sure I will ~.oaden my underetanding of
thil problem, and take away far more than I have 'eontributed. Thank you for
your kind attention.