DESCRIPTIVE MANUAL 



55 



Fig. 30-A. Distribution of Quack Grass. 



Carroll to Lyon county and eastward and northward and is found 

 extensively along railroads. It is found in northern Iowa from 

 Mississippi to Missouri rivers, probably in every county. 



Extermination. — With reference to the extermination of quack 

 grass, experiments made at Ames indicate that quack grass can be 

 exterminated. When it covers considerable areas it may be neces- 

 sary to summer fallow. The land should be plowed in August when 

 the small grain crop has been removed. The first plowing should 

 be shallow, not more than two or three inches deep. Then harrow 

 with a common drag. This will expose a large number of the 

 "roots". If the grass appears again, run over the field with a disc 

 and drag. This should be continued for the remainder of the sea- 

 son. In the spring plow the soil six or seven inches ; drag and ex- 

 pose the "roots". The field should be kept free from weeds of all 

 descriptions during the entire growing season. It may be neces- 

 sary to go over the field at least once a week to get all of the quack 

 grass. Where land brings as much per acre as in Iowa, no farmer 

 can a/ford to leave his land fallow. The field should be given the 

 same treatment in the fall and early spring as outlined above. Sow 

 thickly with one of the following crops: Sorghum, Millet, Buck- 

 wheat, or Rye. These crops will not entirely kill the quack grass but 

 will reduce its vitality to such an extent that what remains may be 

 easily treated by plowing six or seven inches deep in the fall, follow- 

 ing with a harrow. With sorghum very little quack grass will re- 

 main. Experience has shown that quack grass is shallow-rooted and 

 that the roots will not: grow readily through the soil beyond a depth 

 of six inches. 



