172 8. HALAPENSE L., JOHNSON GRASS. 



It has sometimes been called Guinea grass, though this 

 name has more generally been applied to another, Panicum ju- 

 mentorum. 



Johnson grass is a coarse perennial, with large, stout root- 

 stocks often half an inch in diameter. These penetrate the 

 ground in every direction, and each joint may send up a stem 

 after the manner of June or quack grass, only on a much larger 

 scale. 



The stems are three to six or more feet in height, and are 

 amply supplied Avith long, broad leaves. The branching panicle 

 somewhat resembles that of barn-yard grass. For the Southern 

 States this grass has been highly praised by some and tried cau- 

 tiously by others. It bears great heat and severe drought, and 

 may be cut once a month during the growing season. It affords 

 fine pasture, if any coarse grass can be said to furnish such a 

 pasture, and the rootstocks furnish food for swine nearly equal 

 to that of artichokes. 



As might be expected, it is next to impossible to turn up 

 these rootstocks with a plow ; hence it is difficult to eradicate, 

 though if no tops are allowed to grow, the parts beneath the 

 ground will soon become exhausted and perish. 



Those who have tried it say, that if cut in blossom, or earlier, 

 the hay is most excellent, and on good land the yield is enor- 

 mous. 



Dr. Phares says: "During the recent long drought in north- 

 east Mississippi, on one farm at least, this grass was mowed 

 three times; and on the first of October, when from eight to 

 twelve inches high, the cattle were turned in it and there re- 

 mained feeding and fattening on its abundant, rich, rapidly- 

 growing foliage to the last of December." 



Prof. F. A. Gulley says: "Johnson grass stands first in 

 quantity and quality for permanent meadow, especially on rich, 

 well-drained, heavy land. This and Bermuda for the South are 



