CHI,ORATES AS WEED EXTERMINATORS [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIB,—The mention in your "Country Life" columns of these exceedingly efficient weed exterminators (sodium chlorate may be used as well as the chlorate of potash) makes it necessary-to draw attention to the possible danger in their use. Clothing or wood which has been saturated with chlorate solution and allowed to dry becomes as inflammable as the head of a match, and a blow or friction may set it on fire. There were many serious accidents in the use of the chlorate sprays overseas before this was appreciated ; in consequence, their.use is now either not recommended officially, or advised only with very strict precautions.
Persons using chlorate sprays should wear a rubber coat and boots, and any garments which have caught the spray should be thoroughly rinsed in running water before they have time to dry. Your notes on " Country Life" are so valuable and so appreciated that no apology is needed for referring to this source of danger.—I am, Sir, &c., H. L. RICHARDSON
(Chemistry Department, Rothamsted
Harpenden, Herts. Experimental Station).
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