Weeds along railroad tracks are now killed by the “electric weed-killer.” It consists of a car carrying a dynamo, which sends a heavy current into a sort of rake of fine wires dragging among the weeds on each side of the track. As the wires touch them the weeds are “electrocuted” down to their smallest rootlets. It is proposed to introduce the same system in farming.
What a nice thought as we head into Spring — no-work weed-killing.
Weed electrocution is still being studied, and patents for electric weed-killers are being issued. Electrocution is classed as a “thermal” method of killing weeds — others include mechanical (”pull ‘em out”) and chemical methods.
Apparently, it works for weeds that are taller than the crops, but is less successful for densely-packed short ones. Works meaning not too power intensive.
Ah well, maybe if we get superconductors out of hospitals and physics labs and into garden tools…
