In recent years weed research workers have begun to investigate the possibility of using herbicides for the selective control of wild oats (Avena fatua L.) in field crops. One of the first herbicides to show promise for the control of wild oats was IPC (isopropyl N–phenylcarbamate). Although this herbicide was effective on wild oats, only a few broad-leafed crops proved tolerant to it. More recently, another herbicide, CDAA (2–chloro–N,N–diallylacetamide), has been found to be effective in controlling wild oats without damaging corn and soybeans, and several field tests indicate that it may be used successfully in flax. To be effective both herbicides must be applied as pre-emergence or pre-planting treatments. They kill wild oats as the wild oats germinate, and consequently must be placed in the vicinity of the germinating seed if a good job of killing is to be done.