19 



Hon. H. C. Warner, Forestburg, Sanborn County, S. Dak.: 



This variety was grown in comparison with amber cane, and had greater leafage 

 and suckers. It was dried in the shock and then fed to milch cows, which ate the 

 leaves and heads readily, but would not eat the stalks. It is not, however, as profit- 

 able as corn for this section. 



JOHNSON GRASS (Andropogon halepensis) . 

 (Plate II.) 



A stout perennial with smooth, erect stems, 3 to 8 feet or more 

 high, and strong, creeping rootstocks. It is a native of southern 

 Europe and the warmer parts of Asia and northern Africa. Its intro- 

 duction into this country is said to have occurred as follows : In 1840 

 the Sultan of Turkey wrote to Governor Means of South Carolina 

 asking that he send a competent man to teach his subjects how to raise 

 cotton. A Colonel Davis was sent, and upon his return he brought 

 back man}^ valuable seeds, among which was the seed of what 

 was there called Sicily grass. In 1845 Mr. William Johnson, of Ala- 

 bama, went to South Carolina, where he obtained some of this seed, 

 which he brought home in his saddlebags and sowed in his plantation, 

 where it still grows. From this farm much of the seed was obtained 

 at that time ; hence the name Johnson Grass. This grass has now 

 become widely distributed and well known throughout the Southern 

 States, where it is much valued for hay, if cut at the time of full 

 bloom. Because of its rapid growth, it will give from 2 to 4 cuttings 

 yearly, and each cutting will make from 1 to 2 tons of hay. The 

 serious objections to its cultivation are the great difficulty of destroying 

 it when the land is required for other purposes, and the ease with 

 which it spreads to fields where it is not wanted. 



Mr. Herbert Post, formerly of Alabama, now of Fort Worth, 

 Tex. , gives the following method of eradication : 



Don't expect to get rid of this grass by spring or summer cultivation. It can not 

 be done. In the month of August the summer growth has about ceased. With 

 a strong team and a 2-horse plow break up the ground to the depth of 6 inches, 

 leaving the furrows as high and rough as possible. The action of the elements 

 mellows the soil and all exposed roots die. In two or three weeks, with a straight- 

 toothed harrow (not slanting) , cross the furrows and draw the remaining roots to the 

 surface, where they will soon die. Your hogs would delight to have them. When 

 ready to put in fall grain, plow again across the furrows to the depth of 8 inches ; 

 harrow well, and sow wheat, barley, oats, or rye. Pasture during the winter and 

 early summer, and cut the crop for hay or summer feed. On the stubble sow 

 broadcast 2 bushels of cowpeas, and harrow them in. In early fall cut the vines for 

 hay, or, what will be still better for the land, plow the vines under while still green. 

 Now you are rid of the Johnson grass, and you can plant any crop you desire, as the 

 roots of this grass, cut off 8 inches below the surface, will decay. 



Very little seed of this grass has been distributed by the Division, 

 as the farmers are very much prejudiced against it and are afraid to 

 sow it. Those who have given it a trial, however, report it a great 



