ELEVEN IMPORTANT WILD-DUCK FOODS. 19 



explains its scattering distribution in the interior of the country 

 (fig. 17). Along the coasts wigeon-grass occurs from the base of 

 the Alaska Peninsula and the Gulf of St. Lawrence south to Central 

 America. 1 



PROPAGATION. 



Wigeon-grass may be propagated from the seeds, which ripen in 

 late summer and early autumn. These should be gathered with 

 about 6 inches of the upper part of the plant, as the foliage tends to 

 keep them from drying. This material should not be packed in large 

 masses, but free circulation of air should be provided to prevent 

 fermentation. As 

 little time as pos- 

 sible should inter- 

 vene between 

 gathering and 

 planting. If it is 

 desired to keep the 

 seeds for some time 

 they may be placed 

 in wet cold storage. 



After soaking the 

 seed until it will 

 sink, sow broadcast, 

 in quiet but not 

 stagnant water over 

 mud bottom. Wi- 

 geon-grass grows 



i . :■...• Fig. 16. — Fruits of wigeon-grass. 



m water varymg m 



depth from a few inches to 10 feet. It should be sown where the 



water is permanently 1 to 2 feet deep. 



THREE PLANTS FOR DUCK FARMS. 



The plants considered under this head are distinguished by rank- 

 ness of vegetative growth, comparative unimportance of their seeds 

 as duck food, and lack of fleshy rootstocks and tubers. These quali- 

 ties render the plants generally undesirable for propagation as wild- 

 duck foods, but they are the very things which make them valuable 

 for duck farms. As a rule abundant green food is available to wild 

 ducks, but the birds usually have to search for seeds, fruits, tubers, 

 and like forms of concentrated nutriment. The conditions on a game 

 farm are just the reverse. The birds are supplied grain food con- 

 stantly, but need roughage, particularly of naturally suitable kinds. 

 Plants of rapid, luxuriant growth are necessary and all requirements 

 are fulfilled by water-cress, water-weed, and coontail. 



1 Authorities hold a variety ol views regarding the nam; ;er of species of Ruppia which occur in this area. 

 The purposes of this publication, however, are best served by grouping all the forms under one name. 



