FARMERS' BULLETIN 687. 



SCOPE OF THIS BULLETIN. 



Tin's publication deals only with fern eradication in the Eastern 

 States. Although the experiments here recorded were made with 

 the hav-scented fern, there is every reason to believe that the methods 

 found useful against this species would be equally applicable to the 

 brake. It should be understood, however, that the fern referred to 

 in the following pages is the hay-scented fern. 



HABITS OF GROWTH OF THE WEEDY FERNS. 



THE HAY-SCENTED FERN. 



The hay-scented fern (fig. 1) has a perennial, 

 very slender rootstock one-eighth to three-six- 

 teenths of an inch in diameter, extensively 

 creeping below ground parallel to the surface. 

 From the rootstocks arise at short intervals 

 the fronds, or leaves, of the plant. These 

 fronds are 1 to 3 feet high and 5 to 9 inches 

 wide when mature. The fruit dots occurring 

 on the margin of the leaf bear the spores which 

 arc comparable to the seeds of seed-bearing 

 plants. 



This kind of fern grows in patches or clumps 

 (fig. 2) , the surfaces of which are raised above 

 the rest of the land and are soft and spongy, 

 consisting of an accumulation of dead fern 

 and forest leaves. In these clumps the fern 

 leaves grow so thickly that young grass has 110 

 opportunity to work in. Even if grass could 

 get a start in the clumps, it would be smoth- 

 ered out when the fern leaves fall over and die 

 on the coining of cold weather. 



The hay-scented fern is rather particular as 

 to location. It thrives in places partially pro- 

 tected from the sun's rays, such as northern, eastern, and western 

 slopes, or in areas close to stone walls or trees. It is noteworthy 

 that this fern is not found in places that are much trodden. Either 

 the plants have been driven out by the trampling of animals or the 

 soil is so compact that tin* fern can not get a start. 



THE BRAKE. 



The brake (fig. 3) has underground parts similar to those of the 

 hay-scented fern, but the rootstocks are more stout and woody and 

 creep longer distances below the soil surface. The brake also has the 

 same methods of reproduction as the hay-scented fern. The plant 



Fro. 1.- The bay-waited 



fern. 



