46 



WEED FLORA OF IOWA 



Fig. 25-A. Distribution of Spear Grass. 



Distribution. — This grass is widely distributed in eastern North 

 America in waste places, roadsides, and sometimes in fields, espe- 

 cially in sandy soil. New England to Wisconsin, Minnesota and 

 southward. 



Extermination. — Succumbs readily to cultivation. 



Soft Chess (Bromus hordeaceus L.). 



Description. — An erect, usually slender, pubescent annual, 1-3 

 ft. high, with flat leaves, and contracted panicles, 1-3 in. long; spike- 

 lets 3-8-flowered, y 2 -l in. long, with pubescent glumes, the flower- 

 ing ones 3 1 /2-4 1 /o lines long, obtuse and awned ; awns 3-4 lines long. 



Distribution. — Frequent in waste places, roadsides, and fields, 

 from Canada to Virginia and Rocky mountains. Most abundant 

 of the brome grasses in Iowa, Story, Boone and Polk counties. 



Extermination. — Succumbs readily to cultivation. Fields are 

 largely sown from plants growing in waste places. Therefore, cut 

 down the weed along roadsides and in waste places. 



Chemical Composition. — Chemical analysis made at the experi- 

 ment station at Ames by Dr. Weems shows the following results : 



