1 86 Weeds. 



very early in the spring, nor in the autumn, 

 unless the weather be warm and moist. It 

 luxuriates in soils that are well adapted to 

 the growth of cereals, but it will also grow 

 in various other soils. The wild oat does 

 not give serious trouble in meadows or pas- 

 tures. Its seeds are possessed of great 

 vitality, and will spring into life when 

 brought under suitable conditions, although 

 they may have been buried in the ground 

 or in unrotted manure for years and years. 

 The wild oat is distributed most freely 

 by means of the seeds of the small grains, 

 for the reason that, if left to grow among 

 these crops, it is sure to ripen before them, 

 and therefore to have a portion of its seed 

 mixed with the thrashed grain. It is also 

 very largely distributed by manure, since 

 its seed is so light tliat there is no means of 

 preventing it from being very freely mixed 

 with the straw of the crops amid which it 

 has grown. When once among the straw of 

 the manure heap, its seeds will maintain 

 their vitality for years, unless the utmost 

 pains be taken to thoroughly rot the manure, 

 which should always be done before the 

 manure is placed on the land if wild oat 

 seeds are suspected of being present in it. 



