JOHNSON GRASS 329 



crop which will make a dense growth, as oats, sorghum, or 

 cowpeas. Thorough plowing and good preparation, so as 

 to insure a quick, vigorous growth of the planted crop, are 

 necessary. Sorghum is perhaps one of the best smother 

 crops, as it grows rapidly and makes a dense shade if planted 

 thickly. 



JOHNSON GRASS 



415. Origin and Description. Johnson grass, Andropogon 

 halapense, is a native of southern Europe and Asia which is 

 now common throughout the Southern states. It is a 

 strong, vigorous-growing grass with large underground 

 stolons, by which it spreads rapidly. It produces culms 

 from 4 to 7 feet high, with numerous leaves 1 foot or more 

 long and J/ to 1 inch wide. The flowers are borne in panicles, 

 resembling those of sorghum, to which it is closely related. 

 In fact, the entire plant except the perennial underground 

 stems closely resembles a small plant of sorghum. The 

 spikelets are in pairs at the nodes or in threes at the ends of 

 the branches, only one of these spikelets containing a perfect 

 flower. The grain is free from the glumes and is similar in 

 appearance to sorghum seed. The plant seeds freely in all 

 the Southern states and, as it spreads rapidly by both the 

 stolons and the seeds, it is generally considered one of the 

 worst weeds of that section. 



416. Importance. While Johnson grass is a bad weed, it 

 is also one of the best Southern hay plants. It will grow 

 on a wide range of soils and in all locations, thriving where 

 there is an abundance of water, yet enduring drouth well. 

 It does not grow during a drouth, but starts at once into 

 growth when rains come. It yields two or three good crops 

 of hay during the season, which, if cut at the proper time, are 

 palatable and nutritious. It is of some value as a pasture 



