FIELD, ORCHARD, AND GARDEN CROPS 135 



Bermuda Grass. In the South, Bermuda grass makes excellent 

 summer pasture. Where year-round pasturage is desired, the 

 Bermuda sod is harrowed and sowed with bur clover or hairy 

 vetch to furnish winter grazing. Bermuda grass matures seed 

 only in tropical countries ; in temperate regions it spreads by means 

 of its underground stems which take root at every joint. Owing 

 to this habit of growth, it bears close pasturing without injury. 

 It grows on almost any soil, however poor, and is especially valu- 

 able on thin, rolling lands disposed to wash. Bermuda is a sun- 



THE PRODUCT OF A GOOD PASTURE 



loving grass and dies when shaded. It can be killed in a season 

 or two by a sowed crop, such as cowpeas. 



Corn. Corn, which is our most valuable grain plant, is also 

 our chief forage crop. Its uses and cultivation are described on 

 page 140. 



Sorghum. In the South and Southwest, especially in semi-arid 

 lands, Kafir corn and other varieties of sorghum are much used 

 for forage. Sorghum resembles corn in growth, but is a stronger 

 feeder and so thrives better on thin land. It endures extremes 

 of heat and cold well, and resists drought that would kill corn. 



