16 CIRCULAR 328, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



ground. The manure spreader in full gear was driven over the ground 

 twice, leaving an even covering of small sods on the cultivated soil 

 and the land was firmly packed immediately. 



Favorable rains followed immediately and most of the grass renewed 

 growth satisfactorily. The spread was just as fast as that for 4-inch 

 cubes transplanted 3 feet apart, and the final surface was more 

 smooth than that for sods set out by hand. 



Successful reestablishment of the grass also resulted from similar 

 methods followed in 1931. However, broadcasting in 1932 and 1933 

 was followed by dry windy weather which none of the grass survived, 

 indicating that broadcasting is not a safe practice under all conditions. 



TREATMENT AFTER TRANSPLANTING OR BROADCASTING 

 PACKING THE LAND 



After the sods are set out or broadcast, the use of a heavily weighted 

 surface packer, known as a cultipacker or roller, is essential in securing 

 a rapid start of the grass and assuring a smooth surface. 



IRRIGATION 



It is seldom necessary but may be helpful to apply water sparingly 

 and judiciously. Most of the resodding at this station has been on 

 dry upland soils without the aid of irrigation. Water has been applied 

 to a sufficient number of areas to determine the effects of irrigation. 

 Too much water is decidedly detrimental, as it encourages the com- 

 petitive development of weeds and less desirable grasses. Where 

 water is available, a few light and timely irrigations will be helpful in 

 starting the grass, hastening the spread and maintaining the green 

 appearance during periods of drought, but it is rarely necessary to 

 keep the grass alive. When set out on low, poorly drained areas the 

 grass soon succumbs to an excess of water and is replaced by the less 

 desirable taller grasses. 



CULTIVATION HARMFUL 



Buffalo grass spreads almost entirely by surface runners, which 

 should not be disturbed by hoeing or cultivating. The stubble 

 growth of weeds and other grasses should be allowed to occupy the 

 spaces between sods, to control erosion and to permit dust-laden 

 winds to leave an even coating of wind-deposited soil over the entire 

 surface. Erosion of cultivated land around the sods and dust col- 

 lected and held in the leaves of grass cause the final surface to be 

 rough and unsatisfactory for landscape purposes. 



CLIPPING OR PASTURING 



At intervals throughout the season clipping or grazing should be 

 practiced, to control other growth and to admit sunlight to the grass. 

 This will not wholly destroy but will reduce competing growth and 

 leave a stubble over the land sufficient to minimize the roughening 

 effects of erosion by wind or water. A mowing machine or a high- 

 cutting lawn mower, cutting at a height of 2 inches, will clip the taller 

 grasses without unduly injuring the prostrate buffalo grass. Per- 

 sistent and repeated close clipping of buffalo grass with an ordinary 

 lawn mower weakens the grass and encourages the inroads of noxious 



