336 FORAGE CROPS 



planters all over the southern United States. 

 Many jDlantations, in the south Atlantic states, 

 were abandoned on account of its prevalence upon 

 them, which are now yielding more profitable 

 returns from Bermuda pastures and Bermuda hay 

 than were ever realized from the same fields while 

 cultivated in cotton. There is a well authenticated 

 record of 13,000 pounds of Bermuda hay, per acre, 

 from three mowings during one season, on the 

 Oconee river-bottoms in Georgia. 



"Farmers who, a few years since, dreaded its 

 appearance upon their farms as they did Canada 

 thistle or the famous coco or nut grass, are 

 now industriously planting Bermuda pastures and 

 meadows." 



Meadows of Bermuda- grass should be i-enewed 

 once in three or four years, as the tendency is to 

 become sod -bound. The meadows may be re- 

 newed by deep plowing, and seeding in the late 

 fall with any of the crops usually grown for spring 

 pasture or soiling; vetch and winter oats have 

 been used for this purpose with great success. 

 An abundance of seed should be used and the 

 land well fertilized in order to insure a vigorous 

 growth that will help to choke the grass. The 

 sods and roots left will spread rapidly after the 

 forage crops have been grazed or cut, provided 

 the land is naturally fertile, or has been even 

 manured or fertilized. 



