Bermuda-grass (Cynodon Dactylon), Fig. 540, is distributed throughout the cotton-belt, and through out the Gulf coast region, where cotton is not im portant. It i; decidedly difficult to eradicate and hence is rather generally considered a weed. It can be held in check by growing densely shading crops such as sorghum, millet, cowpeas, velvet beans and the like. By smoothing down the land and allowing a perfect sod to form, the grass may be killed by shallow plowing followed by thorough tillage in dry, hot weather in summer. In the northern part of its territory an old sod may easily be killed by shallow plowing in late fall or in the winter. The resulting exposure of the roots to cold effectually kills the grass.
When grown for hay, Bermuda may be cut two or three times in a season. On good, fairly moist land it will yield two or two and one-half tons of hay per acre. In one instance, on James island, near Charleston, S. C., where vetch volunteers in the fall on a Bermuda sod many years old and is allowed to die down in the spring, two crops of Bermuda hay yielding four tons per acre are cut. This field has been handled in the same way for twenty-five years, with excellent results. It is heavily fertilized every spring with phosphoric acid and potash.
Bermuda is the best pasture grass of the South. Its carrying capacity is perhaps greater than that of any other pasture grass in the country. In the early part of the season, while the grass is young and tender, it is highly palatable. In late summer it becomes more or less wiry unless carefully handled, and is not so satisfactory. Unlike John son-grass, it will bear any amount of trampling, on the heavier class of soils at least, apparently without injury. On light, sandy soils it is rather easily driven out by other grasses, especially near the Gulf coast by carpet-grass (page 451).
Bermuda pastures and meadows are usually started from small pieces of sod incorporated in the soil. The seed of this grass is rather unreliable and usually costs not less than seventy-five cents a pound. By giving the seed-bed special prepara tion, fining it by means of the harrow as much as possible, and sowing the seed after the ground is thoroughly warmed, three or four pounds of seed will usually give a good stand, if it comes at all. A very good way to set land to Bermuda is to tramp into the ground while it is muddy small pieces of Bermuda sod. Another way is to drop pieces of sod two or three feet apart in every sec ond or third furrow while the land is being plowed three or four inches deep. Still another very good practice is to put the land in good condition by plowing and harrowing, scatter pieces of sod broad cast and then roll them into the land.
Paspalum dilatatum. Water-grass. Fig. 521.) This grass is found more or less widely scattered in the cotton-belt, and by many is thout;ht to be of considerable value for hay and pasture, though its value is really not well established. It has a long growing season, starting early in spring and remaining fresh and green till fall. It is hardy and will grow on a wide range of soils, but prefers moist situations. It stands pasturing. The seed has recently found a place on the market. The seed is attacked by a fungous disease, which renders most of it useless. It should be gathered either very early in the season or very late to avoid this fungous disease. Little is known concerning the quantity of seed required or the best method of seeding. [See page 451.] Cereals. The cereal grains are much grown for hay and for winter pasture in the South. Oats is by far the most important. They are all more or less valuable for both of the purposes mentioned.
Crab-grass (Syntherisma sanguinalis). Fig. 520. This grass is abundant throughout the cotton-belt and beyond. It is very frequently cut for hay, which is of fair quality, and is much pastured. As the grass comes up volunteer on land which is cultivated in the early part of the season and left undisturbed in midsummer, it is a cheap source of feed. It furnishes an important part of the hay crop, but is seldom sold off the farm where it is produced. The yield is half a ton to a ton and a half per acre, the smaller yields being usual ; three tons per acre may be secured under the best con ditions. The seed is never sown, the growth being entirely volunteer. It reaches its best growth in moist lands. The main difficulty is to cure the grass properly. When curing is well done, the forage is nutritious and palatable.
Japan clover (Lesp.dcza striata). Fig. 593. This useful plant was first observed about 1850 at Charleston, S. C. Since that time it has spread throughout the cotton-belt and as far north as the Ohio and Missouri rivers. It is found rather gener ally along roadsides and in waste ground. It fre quently comes up in old deserted fields, in all of which situations it furnishes a considerable amount of valuable pasture. It is available for pasture from early summer till late in the fall. It seeds abundantly and when once established, although it is an annual, it is more or less permanent. The hay is said to be of excellent quality. [See Lespedeza.] well prepared and having good drainage. Planting may be done either in fall or spring, September and October being preferable. If seed is used, it should be drilled in, in rows about twelve inches apart.