336 FORAGE CROPS 
planters all over the southern United States. 
Many plantations, in the south Atlantic states, 
were abandoned on account of its prevalence upon 
them, which are now yielding more profitable 
returns from Bermuda pastures and Bermuda hay 
than were ever realized from the same fields while 
cultivated in cotton. There is a well authenticated 
record of 13,000 pounds of Bermuda hay, per acre, 
from three mowings during one season, on the 
Oconee river-bottoms in Georgia. 
“Farmers who, a few years since, dreaded its 
appearance upon their farms as they did Canada 
thistle or the famous coco or nut grass, are 
now industriously planting Bermuda pastures and 
meadows.” 
Meadows of Bermuda-grass should be renewed 
once in three or four years, as the tendency is to 
become sod-bound. The meadows may be re- 
newed by deep plowing, and seeding in the late 
fall with any of the crops usually grown for spring 
pasture or soiling; vetch and winter oats have 
been used for this purpose with great success. 
An abundance of seed should be used and the 
land well fertilized in order to insure a vigorous 
growth that will help to choke the grass. The 
sods and roots left will spread rapidly after the 
forage crops have been grazed or cut, provided 
the land is naturally fertile, or has been even 
manured or fertilized, 
