37 



at the South, and in severe winters it is killed outright. II is occasion- 

 ally more or less winter-killed as far south as the northern portion of 

 Texas and Alabama. Its chief value is for hay, in regions where other 

 grasses fail on account of drought. If cut early the hay is of good 

 quality, and several cuttings may be made in the season ; but if the 

 cutting is delayed until the stalks are well grown the hay is so coarse 

 and hard that stock do not eat it readily. O^ie seed may be sown at 

 any time when the soil is warm and not too dry. Failures often occur 

 from sowing the seed too early. If there is danger that the soil should 

 dry out before the see'd can germinate, soaking the seed may be resorted 

 to with good results. Thick seeding gives a heavier yield and a better 

 quality of hay. From 1 to 2 bushels are usually sown per acre, accord- 

 ing to the cleanness of the seed. In case of failure to get a good stand 

 the crop may be allowed to go to seed the first year, after which the 

 vacant places will be found to be self-seeded. On small patches in such 

 cases the ground is sometimes plowed up and the underground steins 

 scattered along in the furrows over the vacant spots. In most localities 

 it is generally considered desirable to plow the land set in Johnson 

 grass about every third year ; otherwise the root stocks become matted 

 near the surface, and the crop is more affected by drought. Plowing 

 causes it to grow more thickly and vigorously. If desired, a large por- 

 tion of the root stocks may be removed at the time of plowing without 

 injuring the stand. The greatest objection to Johnson grass is the diffi- 

 culty of eradicating it. Care should be taken not to introduce it into 

 fields intended for cultivation. It spreads rapidly, both by the root 

 and by seed, and is apt to enter fields where it is not wanted. On stock- 

 farms this feature is not so objectionable as elsewhere. The grass is 

 not well adapted to pasture, and close pasturing is one of the means of 

 getting rid of it. Its succulent, subterranean stems are usually well 

 liked by hogs after they have become accustomed to them, and by 

 keeping hogs closely confined upon it, it may be eradicated. Another 

 method of eradication which is recommended is to plow in the fall, so 

 as to expose it to the action of frost. In the South, where the grass is 

 most largely grown, this is only partially successful. 



There has been much discussion in the Southern papers respecting 

 this grass, some considering it a great blessing, others a curse, the fact 

 being that it is a blessing where a permanent grass is desired, aod a 

 great pest in land desired for general cultivation. It is probably too 

 tender for the Northern States, but needs further trial. (Plate 31.) 



Sorghum vulgare. 



This name as at present applied includes several varieties quite dif- 

 ferent in appearance, as the variety saecharatum, or ordinary sugar 

 sorghum, millo maize, Kaffir corn, dourra, and broom corn. 

 broom corn variety we need not discuss here. Some of the other van- 



