18 FARMERS' BULLETIN 814. 



Furthermore, at present prices, on the farms where grown, Bermuda 

 grass is more profitable to the southern farmer than timothy is to 



the northern grower. 



ERADICATION. 



Many farmers hesitate to plant Bermuda grass for fear it can not 

 be killed out when the land is wanted for other purposes. It maybe 

 thoroughly eradicated, however, when advantage is taken of its 

 peculiarities. It is almost impossible to kill Bermuda grass by culti- 

 vation in the summer or by deep plowing at any season. In the north- 

 ern part of the Bermuda-grass region it can be almost or wholly 

 eradicated by a very shallow plowing late in the fall, leaving the 

 furrows on edge as much as possible, so that the " roots " will be frozen 

 during the winter. Few of the "roots" will survive a single heavy 

 freeze when turned up and exposed to the air. Farther south, 

 where frosts are less severe the grass must be killed by smothering. 

 Bermuda grass will bear almost unlimited heat, drought, and sun- 

 shine, but it can not live when shaded. When it is desirable to clear 

 a field it should be plowed in September and planted with oats, rye, 

 barley, or some other winter crop. When that crop is harvested the 

 ground should be disked or, plowed at once, and then planted with 

 cowpeas or velvet beans. When the pea or bean crop is removed, 

 there will be little or no Bermuda grass left. This gives two profit- 

 able crops during the year and leaves the ground in prime condition 

 for corn or cotton the following season. 



Another method, which is often followed, is to plow the sod very 

 shallow in the fall, harrow thoroughly, and then rake the "roots" 

 into windrows and haul them off. If this process is repeated in the 

 spring little of the grass will be left. A bulletin of the South Carolina 

 Agricultural Experiment Station says that the grass may be killed 

 by disking, cross disking, and harrowing a few times during the winter. 



In California and other arid regions it can be killed by withholding 

 irrigation a few months. Varieties like the Giant and the St. Lucie, 

 which have no underground rootstocks, can be almost wholly killed 

 by allowing the late fall growth to stand and then burning it off 

 after it has become dry. It is much more easily killed on light than 



on heavy soils. 



SUMMARY. 



Bermuda grass is the most valuable perennial grass in the south- 

 eastern part of the United States and is common in all the warmer 

 parts of the world. It has been grown in the United States for more 

 than a hundred years. 



It requires a warm climate for its best growth; it does not bear 

 heavy freezing or dense shading, but endures drought better than 

 most other grasses. It grows best on a soil which is fertile, fairly 

 moist, well drained, and rich in humus and nitrogen. 



