PROPAGATION OF WILD-DUCK FOODS. 



31 



fig. 29.) It is widely distributed in warm climates over the entire 

 world. 



PROPAGATION, 



Although the chufa seems not to grow naturally in a large area in 

 western United States, there is no doubt that it can be cultivated 

 everywhere except in the higher parts of the Rocky Mountain region. 

 It is said to do fairly well at the altitude of Denver. 



Chuf as can be obtained from most seedsmen and are so cheap that 

 it will pay sportsmen to buy new stock every few years, if earlier 

 plantings show degeneration in size of tubers and hence reduction 

 in value as duck food. Chufas do best on light or somewhat sandy 

 but rich soils. They are available for duck food only when planted 



Fig. 29. — Range of the chufa. 



on land dry in summer and overflowed in winter. In the open they 

 should be planted thickly so as to give the plants a better chance in 

 competition with weeds. In timbered land they need not be planted 

 so thickly, but they will do well in only rather sparse growths, where 

 considerable light penetrates to the ground. When possible the land 

 intended for planting should be broken up and freed from weeds. 

 The tubers should be planted just beneath the surface in spring. 



