KUDZU, A FORAGE CROP FOR THE SOUTHEAST Z 
One advantage of kudzu is that cuttmmg need not be done at any 
special time. The Alabama experiments indicate that two cuttings 
give better results than three or more, and that in the South these 
cuttings should be made in June and October. For each cutting, 
however, there is considerable margin of time, and the cutting can 
be made when other work is slack or the weather most favorable. 
Grazing 
Kudzu makes good grazing, but it must be handled with care, as 
it can be easily overgrazed, to the injury of the stand. Fields have 
been badly thinned by heavy grazing, and im such a case a year’s 
rest is necessary for the plants to recover. In experimental work good 
gains have been made by cattle grazing kudzu, and it is recognized as 
having high nutritive value. Since kudzu withstands drought well, 
it has been suggested that the kudzu area be reserved for tate summer 
FiguRE 3.—Cows grazing on kudzu growing on trellises. 
or fall grazing when grass pastures are poor. Rotation grazing has 
also been recommended. Whatever the practice, it should be borne 
in mind that kudzu makes its new growth largely at the expense of 
food reserves in the roots. If the plant is so closely grazed that 
adequate reserves cannot be stored, the plants are weakened and 
may die. 
. In a few cases supports have been erected in kudzu fields (fig. 
3). The vines climb up these supports, and cattle feed on the climb- 
ing vines. Naturally the area of kudzu exposed to the cattle can be 
considerably increased by this method, and loss and damage by 
trampling are minimized. 
As a Soil-Improving and Cover Crop 
When turned under, kudzu will increase the yields of following 
crops, but there are few records by which this effect may be measured. 
