QUACK GRASS. 237 



seed bed than to plough the land, and because of the 

 vigor with which it grows among grain crops, it more 

 or less reduces the yields. The methods of' destroying 

 it are discussed below. (See page 245.) 



Distribution. — Quack grass is native to Europe. In 

 Great Britain and other countries, it has long been pro 

 scribed by the farmers because of the great labor which 

 it has caused; because of its persistent presence in cul- 

 tivated fields. When it was introduced into this country 

 is not known. There is, however, a species of grass much 

 like it which is native to certain parts of the far west- 

 ern plains and which is there regarded as a good pasture 

 grass. 



Quack grass flourishes best in a climate that is tem- 

 perate and moist and yet it will grow, but of course with 

 much less vigor, in a climate both warm and dry. But 

 it will grow better in temperatures that are moderately 

 cool than in those which are hot. 



It will grow in almost any part of the United States 

 which it is possible to cover with a mantle of vegetation. 

 It would seem, however, to grow more vigorously in the 

 northern and central states than in those southward. It 

 has spread to a greater extent probably in the prairie 

 states in the upper Mississippi basin than elsewhere, 

 but for many years it has also given trouble to the farm- 

 ers of ITew England. 



In Canada this grass will also grow with great vigor 

 in all areas where the soils, when tilled, will grow cereal 

 grains. But nowhere in that country does it grow with 

 more vigor than in the provinces of Ontario and Que- 



