very weedy sites, fumigation with methyl bromide is advisable before 

 planting. This requires a well-pulverized seedbed that is moist but 

 not wet, and mild temperatures. Soils should be tested before planting 

 and where nutrient levels are low, fertilizer applied. 



(c) Transplanting . Plants should be set in winter or early 

 spring, one stem per hill, 45 to 60 centimeters apart in rows spaced 75 

 to 100 centimeters, depending upon available cultivation equipment. 

 Planting should be to depths of 10 to 20 centimeters in moist soil and 



the soil pressed firmly around the base of the plants to avoid air pockets, 

 Most mechanized transplanters, such as are used to set tomato, pepper, 

 tobacco, etc., can be readily adapted to the planting of beach grass. 

 Machine planting is preferable to hand planting under nursery conditions 

 since it will ensure more uniform spacing for ease of cultivating. 



(d) Culture . Cultivation is necessary to control weeds 

 but should be avoided where weed growth can be suppressed by other means. 

 Fumigation with methyl bromide, where fully effective, should result in 

 adequate weed control the first year. Most summer annual weeds can be 

 controlled by the application of 1.5 kilograms per hectare of Simazine 



in the spring (follow timing directions for corn). Spray should be 

 directed to the base of the plant to avoid the leaves. One or two 

 nitrogen topdressings can be applied during the growing season on less 

 fertile soils. Apply 40 to 60 kilograms of nitrogen per hectare and 

 adjust the dosage to maintain healthy color and good growth. Excessive 

 nitrogen application is wasteful and may be detrimental. Supplemental 

 irrigation immediately following transplanting can be helpful to settle 

 the soil around the plants, and may increase production when used later 

 in the season under very dry conditions. However, irrigation is not 

 essential in the production of this plant since it tolerates long, dry 

 periods under dune conditions. 



(e) Harvesting . Planting stock of American beachgrass may 

 be harvested during the winter or early spring after one growing season. 

 The individual clumps are loosened with a shovel or by a tree digger or 

 plowing devices. They are then lifted by hand, shaken free of excess 

 soil, and separated into individual "plants" of one to five stems. -These 

 may be transplanted immediately, stored for short periods by heeling-in 

 out-of-doors, or held for a month or more in cold storage at about 0° 

 Celsius. Plants may be stacked upright in tubs or boxes for movement of 

 short distances. However, where more handling and time may be required, 

 package the plants in bundles of 500 to 1,000 stems, and wrap tightly in 

 paper in a manner similar to that used for forest tree seedlings. 



Avoid excessive drying of the basal part of the plant. Dipping the 

 lower 10 to 13 centimeters in a clay slurry before packaging seals the 

 base and gives a margin of safety during storage, transport, and planting. 



Tops of bundled plants often require trimming to a length of 45 to 60 

 centimeters to facilitate machine planting and to reduce bulk and weight 

 for handling and storage (Fig. 23). However, there is some advantage 



45 



