48 



growing only from 6 inches to 1 foot in height, and being inclined to 

 spread out flat upon the surface. On rich bottom lands ifc grows thicker, 

 taller, and more upright, and is largely cut for hay. It has been sown 

 artificially only to a limited extent as yet, but seed is now offered in the 

 market, and its cultivation is likely to be considerably extended, espe- 

 cially on lands too dry or poor for Alfalfa and where the true clovers do 

 not succeed. Japan Clover is remarkable for holding its own against 

 other plants. It will run out broom sedge and other inferior plants, 

 and even Bermuda in some localities. It does not withstand drought 

 as well as either Bermuda or Johnson Grass, but soon recovers after 

 a rain. The young plants are easily killed by drought or frost, and for 

 this reason a good catch is more certain on an unbroken sod than on 

 well-prepared land. Still there is believed to be less difficulty in ob- 

 taining a catch with this than with some other forage plants. A good 

 method of seeding is to sow in March, at the rate of one-half bushel per 

 acre, on small grain sown the previous autumn or winter. 



For hay it should be cut early, before it becomes woody. It is cured 

 in the same manner as clover, and the hay is apparently relished by all 

 kinds of stock. There is some complaint that sto ck do nol at first eat 

 it readily while growing, and that horses and mules are liable to be sali- 

 vated if allowed to eat it freely while very luxuriant. In both these 

 respects, however, it probably differs little from the ordinary clovers. 

 No cases have been reported of bloat or hoven being caused by it. 



E. L. Allen, Brownsville, Haywood County, Tennessee : 



Lespedeza striata (Japan Clover) grows luxuriantly, is very hardy, and is the best pas- 

 ture we have in summer. It is especially adapted to poor upland, covering the earth, 

 eradicating weeds and sedge grass, preventing land from washing, and increasing its 

 fertility. It grows well in the open timber. Our special need has been a grass to 

 withstand the heats of summer and afford pastures for the early fall. Japan Clover 

 has met this requirement. 



H. H. Lovelace, Como, Henry County, Tennessee : 



Japan Clover made its appearance here three or four years ago, and now occupies 

 nearly all lands that have been exhausted and turned out, growing on land too poor 

 to grow any other plant. In fact, it will grow in a red gully; hence it is the best 

 thing to prevent washing I ever saw, besides all kinds of stock are fond of it, and 

 grow fat on it. 



B. D. Baugh, State statistical agent, Carrollton, Miss. : 



Japan Clover is the most widespread of the natural forage plants of this State. It 

 grows luxuriantly on any kind of soil except light prairie ash land. It is easily cured, 

 makes hay of excellent quality, and furnishes more than half of the long forage of 

 this State. It grows well on upland, but best on bottom land and alluvial soil, 

 where it frequently attains a height of 30 inches. If intended for hay it should be 

 mowed when the first bloom appears, and be browsed or stacked after six or eight 

 hours' exposure to the sun. It affords good pasture from the first of May until killed 

 by frost, about the middle of November. 



George Echols, Long view, G-regg County, Northeastern Texas : 



It appeared here four years ago, and it now has possession of all the open idle land. 

 It seeds very abundantly, and grows so densely that it forms a mat. It flourishes 

 with Bermuda Grass, so that the hay mowed is about half and half. 



