ERADICATION OF BERMUDA GRASS 307 



summer months and is far superior to any other southern 

 pasture grass. Its principal faults are that it is slow in 

 starting into growth in the spring and is easily killed by 

 frost in the fall. Bermuda pasture, however, may be sup- 

 plemented during the fall and spring months by sowing bur 

 clover and rescue grass seed on the Bermuda sod in the early 

 fall. These plants start into growth about the time the 

 Bermuda grass ceases, and are at their best while it is dor- 

 mant. They have practicallj^ completed their growth in 

 the spring when Bermuda grass again becomes green. Where 

 weather conditions are favorable this combination will fur- 

 nish pasture practically throughout the year. 



Bermuda grass is unsurpassed as a lawn grass in the 

 South, though its late start in the spring and its dead appear- 

 ance during the winter are objectionable. It is a profit- 

 able hay grass only on the better class of soils. On moist, 

 fertile loams it will produce three or four cuttings of haj^ 

 during the season. The yield of the separate cuttings is 

 not heavy, but the total yield for the season compares 

 favorably with the best northern hay grasses, and the hay 

 is of good quality. Cutting should not be delayed too long, 

 as the stems soon become wiry and unpalatable. As Ber- 

 muda grass will grow on light sand, on clay embankments, 

 and on various other soils, and as it soon forms a thick turf, 

 it is one of the best soil-binding grasses we have. It is use- 

 ful in preventing sands from blowing and banks and rough 

 fields from washing. 



400. Eradication. A gi-ass which grows as freely from 

 running stems and is so vigorous is naturally somewhat 

 difficult to eradicate, unless its habits are well understood. 

 Except in a few localities in the extreme southern part of the 

 United States, however, it does not produce seed, and so the 

 problem is somewhat simplified. The sod may be killed by 

 shallow plowing, not more than 2 inches deep, either in hot, 

 dry weather in summer or just before a cold spell in winter. 



