CRAB GRASS. 263 



ter than crab grass. The yields of hay reaped in stub- 

 ble fields run from 1 to 2 tons per acre on average land. 

 The hay contains but little fiber and stands well in nu- 

 tritive qualities and is much relished by stock. It has 

 been claimed by good authorities that more hay is made 

 from this grass in the South than from any other grass. 

 Since it is so frequently used for this purpose, and 

 since it costs only the harvesting of the crop, it has been 

 called "the poor man's hay." In some instances after 

 corn has been harvested it is cut for hay, but usually it 

 would be a better plan to graze the grass under such con- 

 ditions than mow it. When crab grass grows up strong- 

 ly amid cow peas intended for hay, the grass will facili- 

 tate the curing of the hay when the crop is cut. 



Securing Seed. — As the seed of crab grass is seldom, 

 if ever sown, it is very seldom if ever saved for sowing. 

 If wanted, however, it could easily be obtained by cut- 

 ting with the binder and threshing the crop. 



Methods of Eradicating. — It has been claimed that 

 hay made from this grass has been more valuable acre 

 for acre than the revenue obtained from cotton or corn. 

 ISTevertheless because of the trouble which it gives in 

 cultivated crops, it would seem to be wise to discourage 

 its growth. 



To eradicate it is no easy task since it seeds so quick- 

 ly and profusely, and the seeds retain germinating pow- 

 er for so long a period in the soil. The season for at- 

 tacking it is that time of the year when it matures 

 seed, and the aim should be to adopt those methods of 

 eradication that will most quickly cause the seeds to 

 germinate with a view to destroying them. The fol- 



