THE GRASS FAMILY 27 



Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta it is widely distributed 

 and seems to thrive on all kinds of soil. 



Injury: Where it has become firmly established it crowds 

 out any cultivated crop. It is a rapid grower and on the prairie 

 quickly spreads over cultivated lands. On account of its deep 

 and persistent rootstocks, it is a difficult weed to suppress. 



Remedy: Mow and burn while the grass is in bloom in May, 

 to destroy the seeds. Then plow deeply to get below the root- 

 stocks, which may be brought to the surface by thorough cul- 

 tivation, continued through the summer. This will be made 

 more effective by deep plowing as late in the fall as the frost 

 will allow. 



Good results have been obtained in Manitoba by plowing 

 deeply in spring when the Sweet Grass is in flower and at once 

 seeding down heavily to barley. 



For Saskatchewan, Angus MacKay recommends as follows: 

 "The first plowing should be done when the ground is dry and 

 the weather hot; early in August gives the best results. Plow 

 deep and leave the ground rough for a few days, then harrow 

 and repeat the plowing in another week if the weather is warm 

 and dry. Plowing when the ground is wet only spreads the 

 weed." 



The Diseases and ill Accidents of Com, are worthy to be enquired, and would be 

 more worthy to be enquired, if it were in men's power to help them; whereas many of 

 them are not to be remedied. The Mildew is one of the greatest, which (out of question) 

 Cometh by closeness of Air; and therefore in Hills, or large Champain-Grounds, it seldom 

 Cometh. . . .This cannot be remedied, otherwise than that in Countreys of small enclosure 

 the Grounds be turned into larger Fields: Which I have known to do good in some Farms. 

 Another Disease is the putting forth of Wild Oats, whereinto Com oftentimes (especially 

 B,arley) doth degenerate. It hapneth chiefly from the weakness of the Grain that is 



sown; for if it be either too old or mouldy, it will bring forth wild Oats Another 



Disease is Weeds; and they are such, as either choak and over-shadow the Com, and bear 

 it down, or starve the Com, and deceive it of nourishment. 



Bacon, Natural History, 1625. 



