MEADOWS AND PASTURES 51 
be the remedy for it. Sorrel seldom appears in grass- 
lands that are so treated as to keep up a vigorous 
growth. Its presence is a pretty good indication that 
it is time to plow up the sod and run it through a 
rotation which will give an opportunity to kill weeds 
and put the land in good heart. Some old timothy 
meadows are much overrun with plantain, especially 
on worn soils where the grass makes a feeble growth. 
It is unwise to keep meadows down on such soils after 
plantain becomes troublesome. 
In middle latitudes and in the Southern States 
broom-sedge (Andropogon virginicus) is probably the 
most troublesome weed in grass-lands. It may be 
kept out by prompt removal with the hoe or spud as 
soon as it appears. Broom-sedge does not bother on 
land kept in condition to grow a good crop of grass, and 
causes trouble only in meadows and pastures several 
years old. When young and tender, stock eat it fairly 
well, and this has a tendency to hold it in check in 
pastures. When it becomes plentiful in a meadow, 
the best plan is to break up the land and grow a culti- 
vated crop. Brome-sedge does not invade land that is 
plowed once or twice a year. 
Bitterweed (//elentum tenuifolium) is very trou- 
blesome on over-stocked and poorly fertilized grass- 
lands in many parts of the South. It is particularly 
objectionable on dairy farms, since it affects the flavor 
of milk very unfavorably. To get rid of it fertilize 
well and reduce the number of stock kept on a given 
area, so as to give the grass a chance to run out the 
weed. Being an annual, it may also be killed by pre- 
venting it from making seed. 
