Herbert John Webber

“ Since the water hyacinth has become abundant, however, much difficulty is experienced in operating the nets. Occasionally at certain places fishermen are unable for days at a time to use their nets, or do so at great risk, as the net may be caught between floating masses of the hyacinth and carried away. ”

“ On the whole, the writer has been forced to the conclusion that eradication is impracticable. He finds, furthermore, that those who have given the matter candid consideration mostly agree in this opinion. The evil, however, is certainly so serious that means should be devised, if possible, to keep it in check. This, it is believed, can be accomplished at fairly reasonable expense.
Methods of keeping the pest in control The water hyacinth is easily killed in many ways, but only those methods which are thought to be the most practicable can be discussed here. ”

“ When a large steamer going at full speed strikes a bank of the hyacinths, it conies almost to a standstill. In side wheel steamers the plants collect between the wheel and bulkheads, packing in so solidly that it is often almost impossible to reverse the engine. This necessitates caution in approaching the landings. Steamers with low-pressure engines are troubled by the clogging of the injection pipes so that sufficient water can not be secured for the condensers. In the case of some boats the obstruction is occasionally removed by blowing steam through the injection pipe. ”

“ In this way they insure the stability of the young plant, keeping it from sinking and preventing it from being overturned by wind or waves. Old plants become so thoroughly entangled that they can be torn apart only with considerable difficulty and are in no danger of being overturned. ”

“ After a number of years it became less abundant, reproducing less rapidly, and gradually decreasing in most places until it no longer causes serious trouble. Many authorities attribute this decreased reproduction to the effect of natural enemies, which have gradually multiplied until they keep the pest under control. ”

“ Small launches, rowboats, sailboats, etc., have in several instances been caught between masses of the floating plants and have found it impossible to get out without aid. In many places it has become dangerous to use small boats. ”

“ Their long petioles are provided with large air chambers, which probably contain more air than the short, swollen leaf stems of the young plant. The roots form a dense, bushy mass, in many cases reaching a length of over 2 feet. ”

“ Some trouble is also experienced by the washing produced by undercurrents caused by the plants banking up against the bridges. At the Buffalo Bluff bridge men have been employed to push the plants through to prevent a block. ”

“ Johns alone, not including the Ocklawaha, it would probably exceed 1,000 miles. The Ocklawaha River, which is badly infested for over 100 miles of its length, would greatly increase the coast line, which must be considered if extirpation is proposed.
Extirpation, if successful, means the destruction of every plant and every seed or rootstock which may give rise to a new plant. It would be comparatively easy to destroy the great bulk of the plants, but exceedingly difficult to eradicate the fragments here and there trodden into the mud or hidden under roots. The entire shore line of the St. ”

“ The rapid increase of the water hyacinth in the St. Johns Eiver in the short time since it was introduced strongly indicates its still further increase if means are not found to keep it in control. Should it become much more abundant, navigation will be entirely stopped — at any rate in the upper portion of the river south of Palatka. This would mean a serious disaster to a large and important region of the State. About eight steamers ply regularly up and down the St. ”