38 RANGE IMPROVEMENT IN CENTRAL TEXAS. 
cutting would have been secured had not the July drought of that 
year prevented. ‘Tests made again fully confirmed the good opinion 
formed of the grass as the result of the former test. It will pay cen- 
tral Texas stockmen and farmers to cultivate the native and the 
improved varieties mentioned. 
Bermupa Grass (Cynodon dactylon). 
This creeping perennial grass is found in the United States from 
Pennsylvania southward to Florida and westward to Texas and Cali- 
fornia. It is not a native, but has been so lone grown in Texas that 
it has become one of its distinctive grasses. It was introduced into 
southern Texas sixty to seventy years ago, near the mouth of the 
Brazos. From that beginning it has been taken to all parts of the 
State, and everywhere it has proved itself a valuable addition to the 
native grasses. It is propagated, in the main, by cutting up the roots 
or sod into small pieces, which are planted broadcast, or from 1 to 
3 feet apart in shallow furrows. In central Texas it is extensively 
used for lawn purposes, as it makes a close and smooth sod. As even 
a moderate frost kills it down, it is not a very valuable winter grass; 
nor is it one of the best grasses for the high lands or prairies of cen- 
tral Texas, as its drought-resisting qualities are not strong. It is in 
this particular far inferior to curly mesquite or buffalo grass. If 
grown in low, moist places, it furnishes more and better grazing than 
either, and also produces an abundant crop of an excellent quality of 
hay. Several tests were made in the station grass garden to determine 
whether it could be propagated successfully by sowing seeds imported 
from the West Indies. Sowings were made in October, 1898, and in 
January, March, and April, 1899. Of the first two sowings not a seed 
germinated. A few of those sown in March germinated, but the 
plants soon disappeared. <A rather thin stand was secured as a result 
of the April sowing, but when the August hot winds and dry weather 
came on, the roots began to give way, and by October 1 all were dead. 
As it is justly regarded as an excellent soil-binder, it was thought 
advisable to use it for strengthening the dams of the two station tanks, 
and in 1900. seeds were sown on the surface in March and raked in 
with a hand rake; but only a few plants appeared, and after a short 
time they disappeared. A few roots that were planted in April grew 
vigorously and soon made a close, compact sod. Central Texas stock- 
men will do well to establish Bermuda grass pastures, especially for 
their home calves and other stock, and if established in rich and moist 
soils, the most satisfactory results may be expected. As it is difficult 
to eradicate when once established, and spreads rapidly by means of 
numerous surface runners, it is not deemed advisable to locate pastures 
near lands intended for cultivation. 
