8 FARMERS BULLETIN 814. 



of growth, the presence or absence of underground roots tocks, hardi- 

 ness, and other characters of less importance. When it is desired to 

 propagate any ^peculiar form which may be found, the plants should 

 be increased by the division of the runners or rootstocks, as seeds 

 rarely produce exact duplicates of the parent form. 



There seems to be little relation between the growth of roots tocks 

 underground and the growth of the stems above ground. In general, 

 however, those varieties making deep underground rootstocks stand 

 more severe freezes than those with only surface runners and so are 

 more desirable for planting in the northern part of the Bermuda- 

 grass region. The varieties with only surface runners are more easily 

 killed when it is desired to exterminate the grass and use the land 



for other crops. 



SEED PRODUCTION. 



Bermuda grass seeds freely in southern California, Arizona, and New 

 Mexico, and from these States part of the commercial supply of seed 

 is now obtained. Tests of seeds grown in California and Arizona have 

 shown a germination of 95 per cent, which is a much higher percentage 

 than is obtained from most imported seed. Many years ago all the 

 seed used in this country was imported from Australia and sold at 

 a very high price, but now that home-grown seed has proved fully as 

 good the price has steadily declined until seed may be bought for 

 about 50 cents a pound. 



Bermuda grass also seeds occasionally much farther east, good 

 seed having been found in southern Texas, southwestern Louisiana, 

 North Carolina, and even as far north as Washington, D. C. It does 

 not seed well in any region of heavy rainfall, as on the Gulf coast, and 

 it needs a season of considerable heat and dry weather for the best 

 seed development. It is probable that the occasional development 

 of seed is an important factor in the spread of the grass in all parts of 

 the country where it occurs. 



PROPAGATION. 



Bermuda grass may be propagated either by seeds or by " roots" 

 or cuttings. 



As the seeds are very light and small, the ground should be put in 

 the finest possible condition before they are sown. The sowing 

 should not be done until late in the spring, when the soil has become 

 fairly warm. Immediately after cotton planting is generally the 

 best season for the work. When good seed is used 5 pounds per 

 acre are sufficient. Before sowing, it should be mixed with cotton- 

 seed meal, wood ashes, or some similar material even fine soil will 

 answer to increase the bulk and so secure a more even distribution 

 over the field. The seeding should always be broadcast and can 



