20 



Fig. 4. 



Couch-grass, Twitch-grass, Quack-grass, Quitch-grass, or Quick- 

 grass; ALSO Wheat-grass. 



Agropyron repens (L). 



Couch-grass is a creeping perennial which grows from 1 to 3 feet 

 high. It has a jointed root -stock which penetrates deeply into the 

 ground and possesses great vitality. The plant produces spikes from 

 3 to 8 inches long. The small spikelets alternate at each notch of the 

 flower stalk, with the side of the spikelet turned towards the stalk. 



The seeds are about ^ in. long, and rather slender (Fig 4, a.). An 

 average plant produces 400 seeds. 



Time of flowering, June-July. 



Time of seeding, July-August. 



Dispersal — the root-stocks are carried around by implements, and 

 the seeds are occasionally found in seed-grain. 



Whatever value Couch-grass may have for pasture, its habit of 

 taking and keeping possession of the soil renders it extremely 

 objectionable. It flourishes best in loamy or humus soils, from which 

 it is especially difficult to eradicate. 



Eradication. As soon as the crop is harvested plow lightly, then 

 harrow with the ordinary harrow, and if necessar}^ cultivate with the 

 spring-tooth cultivator. This shakes the roots free from the soil and 

 makes it possible to gather them up with the horse rake. Burn as 

 soon as they have dried sufficiently. Repeat this proce.ss two or three 

 times. If the weather at this time should happen to be dry and hot- 

 so much the better. Late in the fall, rib up the land into drills and 

 allow to stand over winter. The frost in all probably will render 

 material assistance in the eradication. The following spring, plow 

 about the end of May, cultivate well and put in some hoed crop, or 

 summer fallow, sowing buckwheat, the crop to be plowed in. A care- 

 fully cultivated crop of rape is recommended as being particularly 

 effective in destroying this pest. 



