188 Bulletin 138, Rhodes Grass 



In South Florida on the drained lands it may be sown at 

 any time of the year, but preferably from October to March. 

 At this time of the year the seedlings are less liable to be smoth- 

 ered by weeds and native grasses. 



In North and West Florida, the seed should be sown in the 

 spring after the soil has become warm enough for corn planting. 

 This will give sufficient time to get two or three mowings for 

 hay and also some late fall pasturage. During favorable winters 

 the grass may live thru and be useful for pasturage in the spring 

 and for haying during the summer and fall. 



PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 



It should be remembered that this seed is much smaller than 

 either oats or rye, and consequently the seed bed will need much 

 more careful preparation. The land should be plowed deeply 

 and thoroly. The surface should be left as nearly level as 

 possible. After the plowing has been done the field should be 

 leveled further by the use of a smoothing harrow or plank. The 

 seeds should not be sown until sufficient moisture is near the 

 surface of the soil to cause them to germinate quickly and to 

 grow strong seedlings. On compact soils it is usually sufficient 

 to go over the land a time or two with a weighted plank. This 

 will cover the seed a half inch or less. On the more fibrous soil 

 a*roller will be better. The points that must be borne in mind 

 are that enough moisture must be near the surface of the soil 

 to germinate the seed and then the moisture must be held there 

 until the seedlings have become established. 



KIND OF SOIL 



The best crops have been produced on the best farm lands. 

 Good hammock land with a clay foundation will be found ex- 

 cellent. These occur in many parts of the State, especially 

 around Brooksville. Fine crops have been produced at St. 

 Augustine, Ormond, Dunedin and Miami, where there is less 

 clay in the soil. Many excellent crops have been grown on well- 

 drained lands. 



CHARACTER OF THE GRASS 



The general character of the plant is nearly ideal. The for- 

 age and stalk grow upright, making it easy to mow. It does 

 not bunch or tangle in mowing. The plants stool out very 

 much like timothy. In addition to the stooling it also produces 

 rattoons that root at the joints and form new plants, these 



