KUDZU, A FORAGE CROP FOR THE SOUTHEAST 3 
Kudzu will grow on many soil types and can thrive on soils too 
acid for alfalfa or clover. This is one of its great advantages. It 
appears to do best on a good clay loam but makes good growth on 
sandy soils, except pure sands, on which, while it will make some 
growth, it does not do well enough to be profitable. It also fails to do 
well on certain heavy soils, such as the black prairie of Mississippi, 
and on soils with a high water table. Soils a few inches deep, under- 
laid with rock or hardpan, are also unsuitable for kudzu. As with 
nearly all plants, the better the soil the better the growth. 
Figure 1.—Root showing buds for the next season. 
Spacing and Number of Plants Required 
The best way to establish a field of kudzu is to set out rooted plants 
2 years old or more. This is a relatively expensive process and makes 
the cost of setting out a large acreage at one time practically pro- 
hibitive. If quick results are wanted the plants may be set 3% by 3% 
feet. With this spacing no other crop can be grown on the land during 
the season of setting. If roots are spaced 3) by 7 feet, one row of some 
cultivated crop can be grown between two rows of kudzu the first 
season. This plan will help to pay the cost of the cultivation necessary 
to keep down the weeds. Insome cases even wider spacings are made. 
145802°—39 
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