358 MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



yields of the two plats show the opposite relation, the one with the 

 lighter treatment producing the heavier yield. A comparison of 

 the yields on Plats 3 and 9 shows that the. lack of potash in the 

 treatment has not seriously affected the yield. Plat 3 with 80 pounds 

 of potash gave an increase of 4,890 pounds, while Plat 9 without 

 potash gave 4,170 pounds. Plat 9, however, received but 240 

 pounds nitrate, which probably accounts for its somewhat lower 

 yield. While no test was niade with sodium nitrate alone, or either 

 acid phosphate or potash singly, yet from the foregoing it seems 

 quite likely that nitrogen is the only element which can be applied 

 in quantity with profit on this particular soil. Details are given in 

 the table on the opposite page. 



FLORIDA. Prof. John M. Scott, Assistant Director of the Florida 

 Experiment Station, Gainesville: In Florida we may if we wish 

 have an abundance of forage crops. Many different legumes and 

 grasses can be grown for hay, for pasture, or for soiling. How- 

 ever, out of the numerous varieties, only a certain number are of 

 especial value for pasturing live stock. 



GRASSES. 



Wiregrass. In the pine forests, the native wiregrass grows to 

 the exclusion of other kinds. After the pine trees have been re- 

 moved by the lumbermen it is only a question of a few years until 

 most of the wiregrass disappears, to be replaced by more nutritious 

 grasses, such as the paspalums. 



Para-grass. This may be called a dual-purpose grass, as it either 

 furnishes good pasture for nine to 10 months in the year or it 

 may be pastured only in the winter from February to May. If the 

 para-grass sod be plowed during the latter part of May, a better 

 hay crop will be secured. If used solely for pasturage it will per- 

 haps be found advisable to plow only in December or January. 

 The plowing of the sod gives the grass new life and vigor for the 

 coming year's growth, and also protects it from frosts. In some 

 respects para-grass resembles Bermuda grass, especially in its habit 

 of growth. When growth begins in the spring, runners 10' to 30' 

 in length are sent out in all directions, rooting from the nodes. 

 When the ground is fairly covered with runners, upright shoots 

 are sent up from each node, from 12" to 3' or 4' in height. The 

 yield of hay per acre is from 1 to 4 tons. 



