EFFECT OF AVITCH-GRASS 



58 



GFiOUr III. 



In this table we have compared ordinary culture, no culture, 

 and culture with mulch. An average yield resulted from the 

 use of the mulch, due to the conservation of the moisture of 

 the soil and the partial control of weeds. The latter grew to 

 some extent, but nothing like in the no-culture plot. Wher- 

 ever they grew they took water and plant food from the soil, 

 and especially to a great amount where no culture was given. 

 While a mulch conserves moisture in the soil and prevents to 

 som.e extent the growth of weeds, it also keeps the soil shaded 

 and cool, which are disadvantages in growing corn. 



B. EFFECT OF WITCH-GEASS IN CORNTRODUCTION 



The writer has had many inquiries in reference to the effect 

 of witch-grass in growing corn. Every section of the state is 

 troubled by this grass. It grows in pastures, meadows, and 

 with all cultivated crops, spreading rapidly and holding on 

 with a tenacity that is marvelous. It is particularly a nuisance 

 in corn growing. Crops growing with an abundance of vege- 

 tation have a tendency to destroy it. We are told that ensilage 

 corn has done this, but with us it has not been the case, and 

 we have been obliged to resort to the hand hoe to keep our 

 fields free of it, if the corn is cultivated but one way. Ordi- 

 nary cultivators are hardly sufficient to keep it out where it 

 has become firmly established for years. 



We saw from the previous experiment that weeds or grass 

 must be destroyed if maximum or even average crops are to be 

 produced. There are three reasons for this: First, because 



