504 THE HANDBOOK FOR PEACTICAL FARMERS 



2. Is the plant a biennial? The seed produces the plant but 

 no flower the first year. The roots withstand the w^inter and 

 produces the flower and seed the second year, after which the 

 plant dies. Fall plowing or cutting the plant off below the crown 

 is effective. 



3. Is the plant a perennial? This type of plant blooms and 



Fig. 238. — Wild oats, showing the fruiting panicle and the root 



system (X ^')- 



produces seed year after year. The seed production may be 

 controlled by mowing. The roots, bulbs and underground stems 

 may be destroyed by fall plowing and continual cultivation. 



4. How does the weed spread? Are the seeds carried by the 

 wind, birds, animals, man, insects or water? Does the plant 

 spread by roots, runners, suckers, or underground stems or in 

 other ways ? 



