C. DACTYLON, PERS. BERMUDA GRASS. 163 



C. Dactj ion, Peis. Bermuda, Wire or Stiitcli Orass.-Spikos 

 3-5, seldom soediiig, but spreu.ling rapidly l,y stout n.otstock.. 

 This grass beloTigs to southern Europe and to uuiuy other wurui 

 climates, and is a perennial, thriving from Michigan southward. 

 The stems are lou- and come from extensively ,-reei)ing root- 

 stocks, Avhich also i)enetr:.te the ground to the depth of three to 

 six inches. The top spreads into several l)r:.nch<'s, somewhat re- 

 sembling crab grass, an annual too common lu neglected o-ur- 

 (iens. The leaves are short. 



This grass is said to l)e celebrated in the sacred Vedas as the 

 shield of India, ami preserver ot nations, as without it the (>attle 

 would perish. 



For tlie Xortheru States it is of no value, starting very late in 

 spring, with the leaves barely an inch high when meadow foxtail 

 IS in ilower, but for i)eruKUient pasture in M-arm countru^s it is 

 highly prized, standing heat and dry wcjtlier remarkalily well. 

 It rarely ripens seed in the United States, but may be propa- 

 gated by washing the rootstocks, running them through a cut- 

 ting machine and then sowing l)road-cast. 



Like quack gi-ass, it is a terrible pest in Held crops, where its 

 deep, stout rootstorks make it lianl to kill. Thorough .-ultiva- 

 tion will kill, if not pastnivd, .Tune grass, cow peas, or other 

 rapid growing plants will shade and (dioke it out. 



The following is from Killebrew : •• I,i iho TSoutii it has been 

 the chief reliance for pasture for a long time. It revels on sandy 

 soils, and is used extensively on tlie southern rivers to hold the 

 levees and the embankments of the roa.ls. It forms a sward so 

 tough it is almost impossible for a plow to pass through it. It 

 will run do.vn the sides of the deepest gully and stop its wash- 

 ing. It has the capacity to withstand any amount of heat and 

 droughts, and droughts that are so dry us to check the growth cf 



^■i^^v'oJ■'^»ik^'T^•rm(^'vi''w'' /""'.''''V-';^ •/••".'^^li "• >'l»nt witi, n,otsl,H.k: ,■. ,l.,rs,il 

 bach.) ' ' ' '"'" ^'"'^Vi Aspikelet; d, pistil a.Kl lo<lifulo8 ; /,, liBule. (Uu^sheii- 



