EAST TEXAS. 25 



in almost all cases a second crop will spring up after the frost. Care- 

 lul experimentation and selection' would no doubt lead to the discovery 

 of more resistant varieties, but as yet nothing has been done along 

 this line. 



"Bur clover grows admirably in a sod of Bermuda grass and this 

 ombination is unexcelled for regions adapted to both plants. So far 

 as has Urn observed, the clover is not disturbed by the grass, while the 

 latter is greatly benefited by the supply of nitrogen fixed by the former, 

 which, indeed/ is one of the best for this purpose, in the regions men- 

 tioned. The plant responds readily to application of barnyard manure. 

 When growing in Bermuda sod, both plants are greatly benefited by 

 occasional stirring of the soil with the disc harrow or with a light plow. 

 This is best done in the spring after the Bur clover has seeded and 

 before the rains have ended. 



"Live stock of all kinds will quickly learn to eat bur clover. For 

 best results as a green forage crop it should be rather heavily pastured 

 throughout the season, since all kinds of stock eat it better when the 

 plants are smalL It is especially relished by dairy cows in the early 

 spring when but little else is green. 



"The seed should be sown at the rate of from ten to fifteen pounds 

 per acre on well prepared land; in this section at any time from the 

 first of October until the middle of December, according to the season. 

 Under ordinary conditions in the milder parts of the gulf region, the 

 plant will reseed each year so that the stand will be permanent. For 

 these sections no better restorer of the soil is known." 



"In the Southern States but few grasses are sown for pasture, the 

 principal ones being Bermuda grass, Texas blue grass and Kentucky 

 blue grass. Of these. Bermuda grass is by far the most important. It 

 is believed to have made its appearance in this country in Georgia dur- 

 ing the war of 1812 and is said to have sprung up from grass wrappings 

 of crockery ware which had been thrown out into the street by a mer- 

 chant of Greensboro in that State. Just why it should have been called 

 by the name now commonly given it is not apparent, for there is no 

 evidence to show that it came from Bermuda. The grass has since 

 spread northward to the Mason and Dixon line and westward to the 

 Pacific coast and is as- common throughout the South as blue grass in 

 the North. It is peculiarly adapted to southern climates and thrives 

 in the hottest weather of summer. It does not like tshade but prefers 

 full exposure to the sun's rays. It is remarkably drought resistant and 

 is not harmed by prolonged dry weather in Central and Southern Texas, 

 but is not equal to the very dry climate of the western parts. It is 

 quite hardy and is not affected by the cold of winter even in Virginia 

 and Maryland. 



"Bermuda grass will grow on practically any soil in the South. In 

 the moister regions it thrives on almost pure ?and and it flourishes in 

 the richest soils of the river bottoms. It is not harmed by overflow and 

 is the best grass known for holding river bank? and levees. When well 

 established it forms a dense, tough sod which remains permanent for 

 many years. On account of these habits, the grass is difficult to eradi- 

 cate from fields where it is not wanted. Ilionsrh as one fanner said. 

 Nobody ought to want to get rid of Bermuda grass.' On irrigated 



