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■PETER HENDERSON A. CO., NEW YORK 



13 



Drought Resisting Grasses. 



BERMUDA GRASS. (Cynodon Daciy- 

 lon. 1 — This is a grass that is eminently adapted 

 for the Southern States, as it withstands drought 

 and the scorching rays of the sun better than 

 an}- other variety. In all tropical countries, 

 this grass is highly esteemed for its drought- 

 resisting qualities, and also for the peculiar 

 I habit of its growth ; the wiry roots of the grass 

 in running over the surface of 

 the ground form a strong fibrous 

 matting. This has caused it to 

 be sown largely for the purpose 

 of binding banks of creeks and 

 dams, etc. For lawns it is also highly prized, 

 as while all other grasses are burned up dur- 

 ing the hot season, Bermuda Grass will remain 

 green, and if regularly mown, it will make 

 quite a velvety carpet. The only drawback 

 is that in winter it looks a little brown, but 

 in the Southern States, an all the year round 

 green lawn can be maintained by sowing 

 English Rye-grass every fall at the rate of 

 50 lbs. per acre, and harrowing or raking 

 into the Bermuda Grass sod. Bermuda grass 

 seed should be sown in the spring, as it will not 

 germinate until warm weather comes. As a 

 grass for hay or pasture, it matures and gives 

 its first cutting ordinarily in June. It does not 

 succeed further north than Vir- 

 ginia. Sow 8 lbs. per acre. 

 (See cut.) 



Price of Seed, 80 cts. lb.; 



' 100 lbs., 70 cts. lb. 



BERSTCDA GRASS . 



AWNEESS BROME GRASS. (Bromus inermis.) When 

 we introduced and offered seed of this grass ten years ago, our 

 experi: i3ntal experience with it enabled us to claim for it drought- 

 resisting qualities which have since been amply proven. In 

 addition to this quality, we now claim for it extreme hardiness, 

 it having stood uninjured the severe winters of Northern Canada 

 with the snow covering purposely removed to test its hardiness. 

 It is now extensively grown throughout all parts of Canada and the 

 United States, and wherever known it is much appreciated both 

 for hay and pasture. With the possible exception of Florida it 

 thrives throughout the United States. 



Though of course it will not produce so abundantly, yet, it will 

 grow on lands too poor for nearly all other valued 

 grasses, and under climatic conditions which would render im- 

 possible the cultivation of nearly all other varieties. The following 

 extracts from reports give some idea of its wide geographical value : 



James Fletcher, of Canadian Experimental Farms, in his evidence before 

 Agricultural Committee of the Canadian Parliament, Harch loth, 1893, 

 said : " Of all the imported grasses this is undoubtedly the most valuable. It 

 grows a heavy crop four feet high. It is the one grass above all others reported 

 upon favorably and uniformly from the North West Territories. I sent out over 

 2,000 packets of seed for testing, and it was spoken of most highly by every person 

 ■who sent in a report. These reports show that it is of value in the IVest, and the 

 experience of it in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces is no less favor- 

 able. It is an extremely heavy and uniform cropper." 



Bulletin, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, says : " This 

 grass certainly presents a fine appearance, and the Experiment Station reports, 

 nearly without exception, praise it in the highest terms. It is evident from these 

 reports that the grass is little influenced by changes of climate. In Canada, in 

 Mississippi, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and California it seems to do equally 

 well. It is resistant to intense cold, to sudden and extreme changes of temperature, 

 and stands protracted drouth better than any other variety." 



Bulletin, Mississippi Experiment Station, says: "Endures our summer 

 heat and drought much better than Rescue Grass, and, being a perennial, is 

 much more permanent. It remains fresh and green during a larger part of the 

 year than any other grass we have." 



Bulletin, United States Grass Experiment Station, Garden City, Kans., 

 says : "Bromus Inermis is the grass for this Western country ; it is the best out 

 of seven or eight hundred varieties tried on this Station." 



Sow 35 lbs. per acre. (See cut.) 



PRICE.— 18 cts. lb. ; $2.25 bushel (of 14 lbs.); $15.00 



100 lbs. 



JOHNSON GRASS. (Sorghum Halapense.) As a meadow 

 or hay grass, this variety is highly esteemed in the South, where 

 during the hottest and driest seasons it can be relied upon to yield 

 heavily. The aggressiveness of this grass has caused it to be con- 

 sidered a veritable curse by some farmers by spreading into culti- 

 vated fields, but it is highly esteemed by those who understand it. 

 Where it is desired to keep it within bounds, the seed should never 

 be allowed to ripen as it spreads from the seeds disseminated 

 through hay much more than is generally supposed. Besides when 

 fully ripe, the feeding value is little better than Corn Stalks, but 

 cut before the seed tops emerge from the sheathes, its value as 

 shown by chemical analysis is better than Timothy hay. When 

 cut at time recommended, the embryo seeds are unpollenized and 

 imperfect, and are incapable of sprouting, so there is no possibility 

 of introducing this grass where it is not wanted by using such hay. 

 We only advise the sowing of Johnson Grass where it is desired to 

 remain as permanent meadow. Should be sown August to October, 

 or in Spring, at the rate of one bushel per acre. Price, 14 cts. 

 lb.; $3 00, bushel of 25 lbs.; $11.00, 100 lbs. 



TEXAS BEl'E GRASS. (Poa Arachnifera.) A peren- 

 nial creeping grass, closely related to Kentucky Blue Grass, but 

 stands drought and heat better, and is, therefore, of greater value 

 in the Southern States, as a winter pasture or Lawn Grass. An all 

 the year round green pasture or lawn can be maintained, even in 

 the extreme South by sowing half each Bermuda and Texas Blue 

 Grass, neither seeming to crowd out the other, Texas Blue being 

 one of the few grasses able to withstand the aggressive habit of 

 Ber nuda. Sow during showery weather in spring or fall, prefer- 

 ably in the fall. Parties ordering should be careful to state Texas 

 Blue Grass, so as not to confound it with Kentucky Blue Grass. 

 Price, 20 cts. per packet; 40 cts. per oz.; $1.00 per % 

 l°-> $3-oo per lb. 



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