JOHNSON GRASS. 253 



field. The first cutting woiild be taken for hay, after 

 which the Johnson grass would take possession, the de- 

 caying clover roots meanwhile feeding the grass. 



Preparing the Soil. — When the seed of Johnson grass 

 is sown to obtain a stand of the plants, it should be on 

 clean soil, or the weeds will greatly hinder the growth 

 of the grass for a time. It grows rather slowly and deli- 

 cately at the first, notwithstanding the rapidity with 

 which it grows later. Similar preparation should also 

 be given to the soil when it is planted from cuttings; not 

 because it will be unable to make a stand under those 

 conditions, but because it will require a considerably 

 longer time to do so. Some growers have even gone 

 the length of summer fallowing the land for one season 

 before sowing this grass, but clean cultivation given to 

 some crop requiring the same ought to answer the pur- 

 pose sought just as well. 



Sowing or Planting. — Johnson grass may be propa- 

 gated from seed or by means of cuttings from the root- 

 stocks. The former is the simpler method and the less 

 expensive when good seed can be obtained, but in some 

 instances the seed produced is not very satisfactory. 

 Many of the seeds are defective and many will not ger- 

 minate, but this does not hold true of all seed. 



It would be easily possible to sow the seed too early 

 in the spring as the young plants are tender. Spring 

 sowing may extend from April to July, April being a 

 favorite month. Autumn sowing may extend from 

 August to October according to the locality, September 

 being a favorite month. The seeds are slow of germina- 

 tion, especially in cool weather. But little return will 



