BERMUDA GRASS lOQ 



for the old, run-down fields of the cotton belt, 

 and the broken hillsides that must be protected 

 lest they wash away. In propagating, this is a good 

 way: Plow your field as you would for corn or 

 cotton and smooth with the harrow. Use the plow 

 to open furrows 2 or 3 feet apart over the entire 

 field, just as you do for corn or cotton. In these 

 open furrows drop pieces of Bermuda roots or sods 

 every 20 or 30 inches. When this has been done 

 you may cover by throwing the furrow-slice 

 back, then harrow again or roll the land. 



Roots and sods may be prepared for the purpose 

 by putting them in small piles and thoroughly 

 chopping with an ax or spade. In this manner 

 you will secure enough settings from a bushel of 

 plants to plant several acres. With the coming of 

 warm weather the Bermuda settings quickly begin 

 to spread out in every direction, in a few months' 

 time covering the entire surface of the land and 

 filling the soil with a perfect mat of roots. Later 

 in the season a disk-harrow may be run over the 

 land with advantage, that it may cut the runners, 

 start new settings, loosen the soil and give better 

 foothold for the plants. 



BLUE GRASS.— See Kentucky Blue Grass. 



BROOM CORN. — Broom corn is of two general 

 varieties, standard and dwarf, the difference being 

 in height of the stalk and length of the broom. The 

 soil preparation for planting this crop varies in no 

 essential detail from any ordinary treatment for 

 growing Indian corn. A finely pulverized condi- 

 tion of the seed bed is necessary, since a rough or 

 sandy condition of the surface will result in cover- 

 ing up some of the young plants during first cul- 

 tivation. It is planted in drills with an ordinary 



