132 COMMON WEEDS 



time, the precaution may be taken of using on the 

 binder or reaper the seed-catching box referred to at 



P- 30 



The chief means of reducing this pest, however, lies 

 in the removal or destruction of the bulb-like roots. 

 To accomplish this great care must be taken, as the 

 individual " bulbs " are readily separated by harrowing 

 and other tillage operations. All considered, it is per- 

 haps best, before a corn crop, to pick out the weed by 

 hand during autumn tillage operations, especial pains 

 being taken to gather single " bulbs " with the rest. 

 The same procedure may be adopted, if practicable, 

 before sowing spring cereals, and with even greater 

 certainty in the case of root crops. A short rotation, 

 with extra root crops, may largely reduce this weed, 

 for frequent stirring of the soil, and exposure of the 

 " bulbs " in hot weather, or during alternate frost and 

 thaw, lead to the destruction of much of the pest. 

 Continued hoeing of root crops as late in summer and 

 autumn as is possible "will also do it much harm. At 

 every possible opportunity, however, whether during 

 tillage operations or when hand hoeing root crops, the 

 " bulbs " should be hand picked. Should the pest be 

 so plentiful as to overrun a field, paring and burning 

 of the surface soil may in the long run prove the least 

 troublesome and least expensive plan. Odd corners 

 should not be neglected, or seeding may lead to re- 

 infestation of a field. 



Couch or Twitch (Triticum repens L.), commonly 

 termed also Squitch, Scutch, Quack, or Whickens, is a 

 perennial weed grass which is perhaps in most parts 

 of Britain the worst weed of arable land. It seldom 

 reaches the flowering stage in arable land, except in 

 corn crops, but is recognisable by its extensive creeping 

 rootstock or underground stems (Fig. 39), which bear 



