16 



on the Mediterranean. The name Johnson Grass, which is the one now 

 most generally adopted in this country, originated from William John- 

 son, of Alabama, who introduced the grass into that State from South 

 Carolina about 1840. It had previously been known as Means Grass T 

 and that name is still occasionally used. It has also been largely grown 

 under the name of Guinea Grass, but that name should be restricted to 

 Panicum maximum, described in another part of this bulletin. It has 

 also been called Egyptian Grass, Green Valley Grass, Cuba Grass, Ala- 

 bama Guinea Grass, Australian Millet, and Morocco Millet. In California 

 it is best known as Evergreen Millet or Arabian Evergreen Millet. 

 There seems to be good evidence that some of these names have been 

 used at times in order to sell the seed at an unreasonably high price. 

 Johnson Grass seeds abundantly, and the seed maybe obtained of nearly 

 all seedsmen under that name. 



This grass is best adapted to warm climates, and has proved most 

 valuable on warm dry soils in the Southern States. It has been tested 

 quite generally throughout the country, and is often recommended for 

 cultivation even in the North, but in the Northern States its growth is 

 much smaller than at the South, and in severe winters it is killed en- 

 tirely. It is occasionally more or less winter-killed as far south as the 

 northern portion of Texas and Alabama. Its chief value is for hay, in 

 regions where other grasses fail on account of drought. If cut early the 

 hay is of good quality, and several cuttings may be made in the season . 

 but if the cutting is delayed until the stalks are well grown, the hay is 

 so coarse and hard that stock do not eat it readily. The seed may 

 be sown at any time that the soil is warm and not too dry. Failures 

 often occur from sowing the seed too early. If there is danger that the 

 soil should dry out before the seed can germinate, soaking the seed 

 ma}' be resorted to with good results. Thick seeding gives a heavier 

 yield and a better quality of hay. From 1 to 2 bushels are usually 

 sown per acre, according to the cleanness of the seed. In case of failure 

 to get a good stand the crop may be allowed to go to seed the first year, 

 after which the vacant places will be found to be self-seeded. On small 

 patches in such cases the ground is sometimes plowed up and the un- 

 derground stems scattered along in the furrows over the vacant spots. 

 In most localities it is generally considered desirable to plow the land 

 set in Johnson Grass about every third year. Otherwise the root-stock s 

 become matted near the surface and the crop is more affected by 

 drought. Plowing causes it to grow more thick and vigorous. If de- 

 sired, a large portion of the root-stocks may be removed at the time of 

 plowing without injuring the stand. The greatest objection to John- 

 son Grass is the difficulty of eradicating it. Care should be taken not 

 to introduce it into fields intended for cultivation. It spreads rapidly, 

 both by the root and by seed, and is apt to enter fields where it is not 

 wanted. On stock-farms this feature is not so objectionable as elsewhere. 

 The grass is not well adapted to pasture, and close pasturing is one 

 means of getting rid of it. Its succulent subterranean stems are usually 



