SOUTHERN GRASSES 241 



grass, is seldom sown. The fact that both of these grasses 

 volunteer so readily is probably the reason why so few 

 definite experiments have been conducted with either. 



284. Culture. Bermuda-grass is planted either by 

 sowing the seed or by planting " roots." The seed is very 

 fine and rather expensive ; therefore the seed bed should be 

 well prepared and firm. The seed is best sown in spring, 

 using about 5 pounds to the acre. To scatter it evenly, it 

 is advisable to mix with meal or soil so as to make a larger 

 bulk. After sowing the ground should be rolled or lightly 

 harrowed. 



The more common method is to cut or tear the sod into 

 small pieces and then drop them in furrows on plowed 

 ground or merely press them in with the foot. The pieces 

 should be scattered about 2 or 3 feet apart each way. 

 Planting in this way is best done when the weather is 

 likely to be moist, at any time from spring till midsummer. 

 Under such conditions the pieces of sod are very sure to 

 grow. 



To save the loss of the land while the Bermuda is start- 

 ing, it may be planted in the rows of any intertilled crop 

 after the last cultivation. 



Bermuda-grass meadows or pastures tend to become sod 

 bound and fall off in yield. When this is the case, the 

 field should be disked or plowed and harrowed, after which 

 the growth will be much more vigorous. 



Where conditions are not such that Bermuda will grow 

 in spite of bad treatment, care is necessary to insure a good 

 stand. At the Oklahoma Experiment Station pieces of 

 sod were planted in well-prepared land in 4 ways : 1. By 

 placing in furrows three feet apart and covering each root ; 

 2. By scattering pieces of sod evenly and then working 

 them into the soil with a smoothing harrow; 3. Seeding 



