18 



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 rootstock 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 edge of the spikelet turned towards the stalk. 



The seeds are about J 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 rootstocks 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 tak- 

 ing 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. To destroy this grass, the cultivation should be such 

 as to prevent its appearing above the surface. Hoed crops of various 

 kinds, shallow cultivation, or a bare fallow on which buckwheat may be 

 sown and plowed under, will be found useful. A well manured and care- 

 fully cultivated rape crop is especially effective as a means of destroying 

 this grass. 



The treatment outlined for Canada Thistle may be followed in com- 

 bating this weed. 



