Vol. 15—1961 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

479.
interest t hat papers are being given on the use of two fairly
.new aqu3tic l10rbicides in the Aquatic Section. In fact, the
demand for and the :tnterest in aquatic herbicides was the cause
for the starting of the Aquatic Section several years ago.
An additional factor where competition is aiding in the program
to improve aquatic' weed control, and tends to keep the water quality
higher in potable watersheas, is in the spray operation itself.
The incru8sed demand for weed control has interested the custom
spray operator. The professional spray man is acquainted with
spray equipment and can give efficient, caheful service. He is
less likely to make errors in dosage ~ldin application that could
e.rdange n the w8ter supply than is a non-professional pond owner.
In addition, as demand for the work increases, the spray operators
compete with' each other for the price of their services and for
the efficiency of their control.
They are also placing pressure upon manufacturers of weediei s
to come up with better products than they presently have. The
result is more efficient weed control. .
Some state governments now recognize the fact that a spray
operato:, can ~E:,a beneficial factor in the cpntrol of aquatic
weeds w1thout 'endangering water quality~ To further guarantee
that water quality standards will be observed, however, these
states require that all custom sprayers using aquatic weedicides
be approved before they work in any of the state's waters.
The value of the approved custom spray man who operates in
·3 potable' water supply cannot be minimized for two reasons:
1. They get around and are constantly making contact with those
who are suffering from weed problema. 2. They are informed as
to weedicides and their use.
The many stories that reach me relative to fish kills and
unwr se applications of aquatic w8edicides invariably repeat the
story of the person, who, wanting to kill weeds, merely thFew
in some particuler chemical for that purpose. Instructions are
not read or fully read, calculations as to water volume are Lgnor cd
and other factors of water quality are ignored which have a bearing
upon the tOXicity of the material used.
It is in connection with the custom spray man that I wish
to bring up the next point in this paper and ~hat is the typ0 of
control system used to protect a watershed. The control system
iJJould, of course, take into consideration that the water is b'?ing
used both for recreational and potable needs. It is aot the
SCOP0 of this paper to examine various means of control, other
t han to say that a system of control for any kind of a natoX'shofl
iuvolving multiple-use of a weter supply, w~lld not leave out
the possibility that some of the work can be done by apj.r-ovod.
cus t.om spray men, end the compet r tion involve:r1 wll.1 b e to thq