798 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



crowded out by weeds. The weeds may appear about the same time as 

 the alfalfa and thus prevent the latter from obtaining a start. If the 

 conditions are favorable for the growth of alfalfa, a weedy field may often 

 be saved by frequent clipping with a mowing machine. 



Squirrel tail and similar grasses. — Squirrel tail grass {Hordeum p.iba- 

 turn,) also called foxtail in Wyoming, barley grass in Utah, and tickle 

 grass in Nevada, is a common weed in the Great Basin region; and 

 another species {Hordeum murinum) called wild barley, barley grass, 

 and foxtail, is common on the Pacific slope. The common dandelion is 

 troublesome in parts of Utah and Idaho. In the limestone regions of the 

 Northeastern States bluegrass encroaches seriously upon alfalfa fields. 

 Old fields that become weedy are often benefited by disking in the spring 

 and after the cuttings are made. Alfalfa has no method of propagation 

 by creeping roots or stems and consequently the plants do not spread, 

 but the disking kills the weeds and splits the crowns of some of the alfalfa 

 plants vertically, rejuvenating them. Seed sown upon the vacant areas 

 at such a time may improve the stand. Where the weeds succeed in 

 obtaining the upper hand it is best to plow up the field and reseed it. 



Field of Fall sown Alfalfa just before first cutting:, June 10, 1904. On grounds 

 of the Iowa Experiment Station, Ames, lowa. 

 (Reproduced by courtesy of Successful Farmer ) 



