A tractor mounted sampler was constructed which allows large soil columns to be obtained rapidly and with minimal physical effort. The machine utilizes the hydraulic system of a tractor to push a steel sampling cylinder containing 30.5-cm id. polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe into the soil, after which the hydraulic cylinder is retracted to pull the pipe and enclosed soil from the ground. Columns 68 cm in length were taken with a hydraulic cylinder pressure of approximately 10 MPa. Soil separated evenly at the bottom of the columns, and compaction was measured to be approximately 5%. This is a relatively simple and rapid method for obtaining large soil columns for use in pesticide leaching studies.

Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. ♯3 ACHMI) was called Achillea by the ancient Greeks (4), referring to the all-but-invulnerable Achilles who stormed Troy around 1200 B.C. According to legend (12), the centaur physician Chiron taught Achilles the benefits of this plant; the warrior then used yarrow to stanch the wounds of his compatriots during the siege of Troy. In fact, Achilles' knowledge of this herb may have provided him with the invulnerability which catapulted him into legend. Since the time of Achilles and the Trojan War more than 3000 yr ago, yarrow has been used to heal wounds and cure other ailments. Yarrow's legendary curative powers have a basis in chemical fact, as we will see.

Research was conducted to determine environmental and cultural factors influencing triallate phytotoxicity to hard red spring wheat. Triallate injured ‘Alex’ wheat more than ‘Coteau’ but injury was not influenced by triallate application date. Wild oat control was greater when triallate was applied immediately before seeding compared to 12 d before seeding. Triallate tolerance in wheat did not relate to solid stem characteristic. Injury was highest when wheat was seeded in a 4-cm incorporated triallate layer and least when wheat was seeded below the treated layer. However, triallate injury to wheat was similar at both seeding depths within the 8-cm incorporated triallate layer. Triallate at 1.1 kg ai ha-1 reduced wheat fresh weight approximately 33% with a soil at 8 C but over 84% with a soil at 24 C.

A survey of Florida highway rights-of-way was conducted during 1984–85 to determine the occurrence and severity of cogongrass infestation. Florida Department of Transportation district maintenance engineers surveyed 8,200 km of limited-access and other major highways (22% of highway system). Cogongrass was distributed widely from the north central region southward through the central Florida ridge north of Lake Okeechobee. Highest frequencies were in counties where cogongrass was used for forage and soil stabilization during the 1950s. The large, widely scattered cogongrass infestations probably were established during extensive roadway construction and routine maintenance which used rhizome-contaminated fill soil.

Barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. ♯3 ECHCG], originally from Europe and India, now ranges from latitude 50 N to 40 S, in both temperate and tropical habitats (12). It is a serious weed problem in 42 countries and is found in at least 27 more (11). It is the world's principal weed of rice (12) and likely has been for a long time: barnyardgrass is recognizable in Chinese drawings from 1590 (13).

Foliar sprays of 2,4-D, dicamba, and triclopyr were applied to vegetative annual goldeneye at 0.56, 1.1, and 2.2 kg ai ha-1. Mortality was 47% and 64% after treatment with triclopyr and 2,4-D at 2.2 kg ha-1, respectively. Mortality was less than 30% at lower rates. Mortality was 54%, 93%, and 100% after treatment with dicamba at 0.56, 1.1, and 2.2 kg ha-1, respectively. Foliar cover of tobosagrass increased 119% and 92% on plots treated with dicamba at 1.1 and 2.2 kg ha-1, respectively. Herbicide treatment did not affect nitrate concentration (0.03% to 0.05%) in treated plants.

A rhizotron containing 10 1.5-by 1.2-by 2.4-m chambers and two 1.5-by 1.2-by 1.2-m chambers for plant growth was constructed for teaching purposes at Montana State University. The rhizotron, constructed of pressure-treated plywood and redwood lumber, has a life expectancy of 40 yr and a prorated cost of approximately $100/yr.

Accurate identification is the first step in weed control. Weed photography is important because a good picture, plus a descriptive botanical key, more accurately identifies plants. Also, quality pictures provide an important learning tool for students, agribusiness personnel, and producers. This paper includes recommendations for selecting photographic equipment and film as well as practical techniques for controlling backgrounds, light, plant movement, and depth of field in photographing plants.

Dr. Homer M. LeBaron is Senior Research Fellow in the New Technology and Basic Research Department of CIBA-GEIGY Corporation, where He has the responsibility for coordinating and directing outside basic research on all of CIBA-GEIGY agricultural products. He has been employed in various R&D positions with Geigy and CIBA-GEIGY for 27 years. From 1960 to 1964, Dr. LeBaron was employed as a plant physiologist at the Virginia Tech Experiment Station in Norfolk, Virginia, mainly researching weed problems in vegetables and fruit crops.

LeBaron was born May 13, 1926 in Southern Alberta, Canada, the third in a family of 10 children, and grew up on a diversified irrigation farm. He obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Utah State University in 1955 and 1957. He received his Ph.D. degree from Cornell in 1960.

LeBaron, in addition to WSSA, is a member of the American Society of Agronomy, American Chemical Society, Entomological Society of America, American Phytopathological Society, CAST, Sigma Xi, Aquatic Plant Management Society, European Weed Research Society, and all of the regional weed science societies.

He has held numerous positions in several of these and other scientific societies. Homer served as president of NEWSS in 1969–70 and as president of the SWSS in 1986–87. He served on several WSSA committees, including the Executive Board of Directors. In 1978, Dr. LeBaron was elected a Fellow in the WSSA, and received the Distinguished Service Award in the SWSS in 1984.

He is author of over 70 scientific publications, and has been editor and author of five books on herbicide and pesticide resistance and biotechnology. He is currently serving on the parent Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) under GIFAP, as well as on the ALS/AHAS Inhibitors Resistance Working Group and as Chairman of the Triazine Resistance Working Group. He is on the Planning Committee and Co-Chair of the Weed Resistance Management Working Group within the International Organization for Pest Resistance Management (IOPRM). In addition to his busy professional schedule, Dr. LeBaron has always been involved in church and community affairs. He has 7 children and 20 grandchildren.