JOHNSON GRASS. 249 



broad. The head is open and branching, from 6 to 12 

 inches long, and somewhat resembles that of barnyard 

 grass. The root-stocks are creeping and so numerous 

 and large that they almost completely fill the soil to a 

 considerable depth. Full sized roots are sometimes 

 found '2 feet below the surface. Some of them are half 

 an inch in diameter and they are supplied with latent 

 buds about an inch apart, hence the smallest portion if 

 left in the soil is sure to grow. 



Johnson grass does not start in the spring until thie 

 weather is warm, and ceases to grow in the autumn as 

 soon as it gets cool. In the summer it grows very rapid- 

 ly under favorable conditions, and will furnish two to 

 five cuttings of hay in one season. While the weather 

 remains warm it may be cut as soiling food once a 

 month. While stock are fond of it as hay or pasture 

 when grazed sufficiently early, it does not endure close 

 grazing well, but is essentially a hay and soiling plant. 

 It is also a hot weather plant which can endure much 

 do-ought, but which succumbs to excessive wetness. It 

 is commonly obtained from seed, but may also be grown 

 by planting the roots. The seed bears some resemblance 

 to flax seed. 



The strong points of this grass may be summed up as 

 follows : 1. It may be grown indefinitely as permanent 

 meadow. 2. On good soil it yields enormous crops of 

 hay annually in the aggregate, which may be grown at 

 a profit. 3. It not only makes good hay but is a grand 

 soiling plant, owing to the number of the cuttings which ■ 

 it will furnish. 4. It is relished by live stock as pasture, 

 soiling food or hay. 5. A winter crop of some other 



