i6o 



A MANUAL OF FARM GRASSES 



ERADICATION OF QUACK GRASS 



On small patches, quack grass can be erad- 

 icated by hand, great care being taken to dig 

 out all roots and rootstocks. These should be 

 entirely removed from the field because 

 if left to lie upon the surface they may 

 take root again and become established. 

 Eradication from large patches or 

 badly infested fields depends on thor- 

 ough tillage. The methods employed 

 are: dragging the roots to the surface 

 where they will be killed by exposure to 

 wind and sun; turning the plants un- 

 der completely and then preventing 

 the young shoots from forming above 

 ground. It may be necessary to com- 

 bine the two methods. 



It is essential first to plow the infested 

 field. The plow should be so adjusted 

 that each furrow is completely cut and 

 turned, covering up the plants and ex- 

 posing the roots. In backfurrowing, 

 the second furrow should completely 

 turn over the first furrow, that is, no 



35. Quack Grass. A seed head or spike, and a base showing the 

 vigorous rootstocks by which the grass spreads. 



