For the Southern States. 89 



ciently to begin to (lro[), the heads shouhl he eut ofT and dried, when 

 the seeds will all thresh out readily and be matured. After the seeds 

 are ripe and taken off, the long abundant leaves and stems .are still 

 green, and being mowed mal<;e good hay. 



It may be sown in March or April, and mowed the same season ; 

 but for heavier yield, it is better to sow in September or October. 

 Along the more southernly belt, from the 31" parallel southward, it may 

 be sown in November and onward till the middle of December. ^Yhen- 

 ever sown it is one of the most certain grasses to have a good catch. 

 Not less than two bushels (14 pounds) per acre should be sown. Like 

 Timothy, on inhospitable soils, the root may sometimes become bulb- 

 ous. The average annual nutrition yielded by this grass in the 

 Southern belt, is probably twice as great as in Pennsylvania and other 

 Northern States. 



JOHNSON GRASS. 



' ' {Sorghum Italapense.) 



This has been called Cuba grass, Guinea grass, Egyptian grass. 

 Means grass, Alabama Guinea grass, etc. 



It seems pretty well agreed now, however, to call it Johnson grass, 

 and leave the name Guinea giass for the Panlcum jumentorum, Xo 

 which it properly belongs. 



It is true that in Mr. Howard's pamphlet, as well as in many period- 

 icals and books, and in letters and common usage, this grass has been 

 far more generally called Guinea grass than the true Guinea grass it- 

 self, thus causing vast confusion. It is, therefore, assuredly time to 

 call each by its right name. Johnson grass is perennial and has cane- 

 like roots, or more properly, underground stems, from the size of a 

 goose-quill to that of the little finger. These roots are tender, and 

 hogs are fond of and thrive on them in winter. The roots literally fill 

 the ground near the surface, and every joint is capable of developing 

 a bud. Hence the grass is readily propagated from root cuttings. It 

 is also propagated from the seeds, but not always so certainly; for in 

 some localities many faulty seeds are produced, and in other places 

 no seeds are matured. Before sowing the seeds, therefore, they should 

 be tested, as should all grass seeds indeed, in order to know what pro- 

 portion will germinate, and thus what quantity per acre to sow. One 

 bushel of a good sample of this seed is sufficient for one acre of land. 



The leaf, stalk and panicle of this grass resemble those of other 

 sorghums. It grows on any land where corn will grow ; and like the 

 latter, the better the land the heavier the crop. On rich land the 

 culms attain a size of over half an inch in diameter, and a height of 

 seven feet. It should be cut while tender, and then all live stock are 

 fond of it ; for a few weeks are sufficient to render it so coarse and 

 hard-TTTaimnimals refuse it, or eat sparingly. 



A few testimonials are here quoted to give an idea of the produc- 

 tiveness and value of this plant. In a letter published in the Rural 

 Carolinian for 1874, Mr. N. B. Moore, who had for more than forty 

 years grown crops, speaks of this grass under the name of Guinea 

 grass : 



