

EKADICATION OF FERNS FROM PASTURE LANDS. 



GETTING A STAND OF GRASS ON THE FERN PATCHES. 



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After the fern has boon greatly reduced or entirely eradicated, 

 grass is very slow in working into the patches unless certain measures 

 are adopted. Of these measures, scattering grass and clover seed 

 over the patches is the most important one. The stand is better 

 and the growth more vigorous, especially in the case of clover, if lime 

 and fertilizer are applied in addition to the seed. 



Seed may be sown either in the early spring or late summer. In 

 these tests the seed was applied at the latter period, that is, during 



PIG. 8. View of a pasture from which ferns have been eradicated, except amoni; rocks and close to the 

 1 stone fence, by cutting. This pasture presents conditions under which spraying with a salt solution may 

 I be the best method of eradication. 



Lugust, with excellent results. If the seeding be done at this time 

 Ihe young grass seedlings are less injured, probably by the shading 

 Meet of the ferns, than if done in the early spring. 



CONTROL OF FERNS IN THE WESTERN STATES. 



The brake is fully as serious a weed pest on the Pacific, coast as are 

 .i of the fern species hi the East. A thorough investigation of the 

 fern problem of the Western States has not been made ad yet by the 

 Department of Agriculture. There is no doubt, however, that the 

 ferns of that region may be subdued by the same methods used m 

 the East, with certain modifications to meet local conditions, espe- 

 cially in 'the time of application of the treatments. Owing to the 



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