328 FIELD CROPS 



clover and rescue grass seed on the Bermuda sod in the early 

 fall. These plants start into growth about the time the 

 Bermuda grass ceases, and are at their best while it is dor- 

 mant. They have practically completed their growth in 

 the spring when Bermuda grass again becomes green; where 

 weather conditions are favorable this combination will 

 furnish pasture practically throughout the year. 



Bermuda grass is unsurpassed as a lawn grass in the 

 South, though its late start in the spring and its dead appear- 

 ance all during the winter are objectionable. It is a profit- 

 able hay grass only on the better class of soils; on moist, 

 fertile loams it will produce three or four cuttings of hay 

 during the season. The yield of the separate cuttings is 

 not heavy, but the total yield for the season compares 

 favorably with the best northern hay grasses, and the hay 

 is of good quality. Cutting should not be delayed too long, 

 as the stems soon become wiry and unpalatable. As Ber- 

 muda grass will grow on light sand, on clay embankments, 

 and on various other soils, and as it soon forms a thick 

 turf, it is one of the best soil-binding grasses we have. It is 

 useful in preventing sands from blowing and banks and rough 

 fields from washing. 



414. Eradication. A grass which grows as freely from 

 running stems and which is as vigorous as Bermuda grass is 

 naturally somewhat difficult to eradicate, unless its habits are 

 well understood. Except in a few localities in the extreme 

 southern part of the United States, however, it does not pro- 

 duce seed, and so the problem is somewhat simplified. The 

 sod may be killed by shallow plowing, not more than 2 inches 

 deep, either in hot, dry weather in summer or just before a 

 cold spell in winter. In the first case, it dries out, and in 

 the second, it is killed by frost. As this grass will not grow 

 in shade, it is easily killed by planting the field to an annual 



