opened to fill the entire interior of the conduit 24 which is sealed at its ends once the same is filled the valve 58 may be closed the height of the applicator is adjusted corresponding to the differences between the heights of the desirable crop and the weeds to be killed and then moved through the field by the vehicle 12 weeds contacted by the wicks 40 will have herbicide in the wicks applied thereto to be killed after the application operation is completed any remaining herbicide within the first conduit 24 may be returned to the reservoir 52 as mentioned previously it is important to observe that in the operation of the wick applicator of the present invention the pump 60 will be in substantially continuous operation herbicide within the first conduit 24 will exit the same into the wicks 40 via the ends 44 and flow under the influence of gravity toward the ends 48 of the wicks 40 any excess herbicide will be drawn into the second conduit 26 to be collected therein by reason of the fact that the pump 60 is applying a vacuum to the interior of the second conduit 26 additionally the herbicide collecting in the second conduit 26 will exit the same via the el 68 to be passed through the vacuum pump 60 out of its outlet 68 to be returned to the first conduit 24 that is recirculated thereby conserving the herbicide actual flow of herbicide out of the first conduit 24 can be solely under the influence of gravity if desired or closely regulated by selecting a suitable setting for the.