GRASSES IN SOUTH CAROLINA 397 



to be recommended for use where there is more or less shade and 

 in somewhat moist lands. For land which is too moist for the best 

 success with some of the other grasses tall meadow, oatgrass, 

 bromus inermis and meadow fescue can be successfully grown, and 

 I wish to lay particular emphasis on the last one. For pasture 

 purposes in this state I consider Kentucky bluegrass and Rhode 

 Island bent the best, though Kentucky bluegrass will not succeed 

 generally without the use of lime or wood ashes, while Rhode Island 

 bent will grow on our natural soil very readily. 



SOUTH CAROLINA. Prof. J. N. Harper, Director of the South 

 Carolina Experiment Station, Clemson College : Bermuda is with- 

 out doubt our very best grass. It makes a splendid pasture and can 

 be grazed for about seven months during the year. It withstands 

 drouth well and loves sunlight. As it does not seed in this climate 

 it is propagated by planting the underground steins. The early 

 spring is the best time to plant it. The best way to start Bermuda 

 is to lay off 3' rows with a turning plow. Drop the particles of 

 Bermuda in these furrows about every 10" to 12". Bermuda should 

 follow bur clover, vetch, cowpeas, soybeans or beggar weed. At 

 the time the plants are dropped in the open furrows, 100 pounds of 

 acid phosphate, 50 pounds of kainit and 150 pounds of cottonseed- 

 meal should be applied in the furrow and then covered with a 

 turning plow by running one furrow. About April 15, the following 

 year, 75 pounds of nitrate of soda should be applied as a top-dress- 

 ing. The second year after planting, plow shallow with a light 

 turning plow or disk harrow and sow cowpeas, cutting the cow- 

 peas off in the early fall. This should be repeated about every 

 third or fourth year. Bur clover planted in Bermuda pasture also 

 greatly benefits it. 



The best time to harvest Bermuda is just after heading. In this 

 climate it is usually ready to begin to pasture with hogs and sheep 

 about June 1. On our bottom lands it makes a splendid meadow 

 grass. Bermuda pastures and meadows should not be allowed to 

 remain in grass except in permanent pastures more than 10 years. 

 Bermuda is rich in carbohydrates and almost as good as timothy 

 hay. It is of great benefit to our soils because it fills the soil with 

 humus and fibrous roots. The underground stems are perennial; 

 the plant is annual. Its worst enemy in- our pastures is the paspalum 

 grass. It is a heavy feeder on nitrogen. We get an average of 

 from 1 to 5 tons of hay from rich bottom soils, 



