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 Eocky 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. Chuf as 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. 
