Mowing with a scythe or sickle is a common method of attacking poison-ivy, but it has little effect on the roots unless frequently repeated. The number of cuttings required to kill depends upon the age of the plants and the size of the roots, but is seldom less than four. New shoots should be cut as soon as the first leaf on each stem is full size. Cutting either earlier or later delays eradication.
Weed burners are implements resembling oversize blowtorches. Two types are manufactured, one producing a short, hot, blue flame and the other a long smoky-yellow flame. Both are useful for destroying foliage. Neither is likely to kill perennial plants like poison-ivy at one operation, even though the flame is held on the weeds for a minute or more until leaves and stems are completely incinerated. The roots are not injured by this, and new leafy shoots soon develop. A better plan is to “sear” the plants by passing the flame slowly over the vines just long enough to sear or wilt the leaves, but not long enough to burn them. The roots appear to be injured more by “searing” than completely burning the leaves, and the operation is quicker and cheaper. Three to four searings when the leaves reach full size usually kill the roots.
☆ U. S. Government Printing Office: 1945—652512
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.
Transcriber Notes
All illustrations were moved so as to not split paragraphs.