364 THE SECONDARY GRASSES 



to sow in the fall with red clover, as they both develop at about the 

 same rate during the following season. It is sometimes used as a 

 crop to mix with crimson clover, and is probably the best hay_ grass 

 we have for this purpose. 



Italian rye-grass is well adapted to grow in wet meadows or 

 under irrigation, where grass is wanted for only one or two seasons. 

 Several cuttings can be made in a season, and under best conditions 

 very large yields are secured. 



Italian rye-grass is also used in lawn mixtures as a temporary 

 grass for a year or two, while blue-grass is establishing. It is some- 

 what shorter lived but a more rapid grower than the English or 

 perennial rye-grass. 



BERMUDA GRASS 



Bermuda grass is a native of India. It was introduced into this 

 country about the year 1800, and has spread throughout the whole 

 southern half of the United States. It is the most valuable pasture 

 and lawn grass in the cotton belt, taking the place of Kentucky blue- 

 grass in parts of the South. In many places in the South it has long 

 been regarded as a bad weed, but its agricultural value is gaming 

 recognition, and it is frequently sown for agricultural purposes. 



Description. Bermuda grass is a long-lived, persistent peren- 

 nial that spreads by strong underground root stalks. These root 

 stalks may be the size of a lead-pencil and several feet in length. On 

 hard soil, however, the root stalks may be above ground, as stolons. 

 Sometimes both the above-ground and below-ground root stalks are 

 found on the same plant. The stems arising from the root stalks 

 are usually rather short, varying from four to eight inches on poor 

 soil, or twelve to fifteen inches on good soil. Its seed production is 

 rather low, and it seems to produce seed only in hot, dry weather. 

 The business of collecting the seed for market has not been well de- 

 veloped. 



Climate and Soils. Bermuda grass is adapted to southern 

 climates only. The leaves and stems are easily killed by frost, and 

 the roots below ground are killed in regions where the ground freezes. 

 It ranges as far northward as Washington, D. C., but is not very 

 persistent at that latitude. Bermuda grass will withstand great 



