107 . 



indifferent to it and would not eat it, but gradually both cattle and sheep 

 began to relish it. The advantage of this plant is its drought-resisting 

 quality. On good soils it will remain green and continue to grow until 

 the advent of frost. Broom sedge, in many places, especially in fence 

 corners, has yielded to its conquering march. It is far less troublesome 

 than broom sedge in every particular, and if it does no other good it will 

 be regarded as a benefactor in its ability to destroy one of the most 

 troublesome of all growths to meadows and pastures. During the period 

 of dry weather it will turn brown upon thin soils, but the first rain will 

 give it a new growth. 



The best estimate of its value was made many years ago by Prof. E. 

 M. Pendleton, of Georgia. He says: "I am willing to concede to it sev- 

 eral things that do not apply to any other plant we have ever grown in 

 this latitude. 



"It has great powers of endurance, so far as the roots are concerned; 

 but the branches and leaves will parch and die out under a burning sun 

 very soon, especially where it grows sparsely. During a wet summer it 

 luxuriates wherever propagated on poor hill-sides as well as on meadow 

 lands. It loves, however, rainy seasons on thirsty lands and I fear will 

 not prove to be all we desire in such localities. It however, reminds us 

 of an anecdote of Mr. Dickson, when he was showing some gentlemen 

 his farm during the prevalence of a severe drought. As they passed 

 through a corn field in which some of the stalks were actually dying for 

 lack of moisture, one. of them called his attention to several in that con- 

 dition. 'Yes,' said he: ; I perceive the fact, but it dies game.' And so 

 of the Japan clover; it dies from severe drought, but rallies again as soon 

 as the rain sets in. 



"It is good pasturage for stock and I think would make good hay, if 

 cut and cured. But I do not believe that our stock like it as well as the 

 native grasses and I doubt whether it is as nutritious as the Bermuda. As 

 cattle love variety, however, this may subserve a good purpose in that 

 way. My opinion, however, is, from a not very close observation in the 

 matter, that they would soon tire out on it exclusively. 



"It furnishes a large supply of vegetable matter to the soil, and I 

 believe will prove to be the best humus-making plant we have at the 

 South, where so much is needed from our clean cotton culture. As it is 

 said to be difficult to gather the seed in large quantities, I intend to plow 

 up the surface where it has seeded, and rake up the grass and top soil, 

 and sow this dirt over my oat and wheat fields, and especially on the poor 

 places. My opinion is that a most luxuriant growth of this clover will 

 follow, which can be turned under in the fall while green, and thus fur- 

 nish not only humus but nitrogen to the soil. 



"Another rare quality of this plant is indicated in the name I have 

 given it 'King grass' in the fact that it absolutely roots out and de- 

 stroys every living plant in its wide-spread path. Not even old Bermuda, 

 which has so long held undisputed sway over his circumscribed fields, can 

 resist its encroaches. I have a bottom long since given up to the Ber- 

 muda. Recently I passed through it and found that the Lespedeza had 

 almost completely throttled it, though like Mr. Dickson's corn it died 



