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JAPAN CLOVER OB KING GRASS. Lespedeza atriata.) 



It has been but a few years since this plant has been brought to 

 notice in this country, though its existence was mentioned as early 

 as 1784 by Thunberg, a German chemist, who saw it growing in 

 Japan. About the year 1849 it was noticed in the vicinity of 

 Charleston, S. C., the seeds having been brought probably from 

 Japan or China in tea boxes. A short while afterwards it was dis- 

 covered at a distance of forty miles from Charleston, and still later 

 near Macon, Ga. 



Within the last six years it has developed itself in many of the 

 counties of this State, especially in Henderson and Warren, where 

 it is covering all old fields, and in many instances rooting out 

 broom grass and other grasses, showing itself well worthy of the 

 name given it by Mr. Pendleton, of king grass. 



It seems especially adapted to the Southern States, not flourish- 

 ing above 36, growing with great luxuriance on the poorest soils, 

 and retaining vitality in its roots in the severest droughts. It ia 

 said to be a fine plant for grazing, and being perennial in warm 

 climates, needs no re-sowing and but little attention. On soils 

 unfit for anything else, it furnishes good pasture and supplies a 

 heavy green crop for turning under and improving the land. It 

 cannot stand severe cold, and in high latitudes cannot be depended 

 on as a good pasture grass, although it comes up and supplies an 

 abundant forage for a few months. It should be sown in January 

 or February in the Southern States, and about one bushel of seed 

 to ten acres is required to secure a good stand the first year. It is 

 said to be an excellent renovator of old fields, and to bring them 

 up to a high degree of fertility in an incredibly short space of time. 



Mr. E. M. Pendleton, of Georgia, speaking of it, says : " I am 

 willing to concede to it several things that do not apply to any 

 other plant we have ever grown in this latitude: 



1. "It grows on poor land with more luxuriance than any other 

 grass or weed I have ever seen; and as it has a small leaf, rather 

 contravenes the general idea of vegetable physiologists, that large- 

 leaved plants feed mostly on the atmosphere. I suppose, however, 

 that this deficiency is counteracted to a large extent by the number 

 of leaves, for they are legion. 



2. " It has great powers of endurance, so far as the roots are 

 -concerned; but the branches and leaves will parch and die out 



