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COPYRIGHT 1899 BY PETERHENDERSONZ CO _ a 
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NLESS BRO 
a — 
(Cynodon Dactylon.) This 
perennial grass, of low-creep- 
ing habit, is eminently adapted 
for the Southern States, as it withstands drought and the scorch- 
ing rays of the sun better than any other variety. In all tropical 
countries this grass is highly esteemed for its lrought-resisting 
qualities, and also for the peculiar 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. It is, 
however, pre-eminently a pasture grass, rooting at the joints and 
forming a closely interwoven turf that withstands the grazing and 
_trampling of stock; the numerous leaves produced from the 
base of the plant furnish excellent summer pasturage in sec- 
tions where other grasses burn out. It also supplies a nutritious 
hay if cut early and often, yielding under ordinary conditions 1 
to 2 tons per acre. It thrives on most soils, preferring a rich, 
sandy loam. As it spreads rapidly and soon takes possession 
of the soil, it is in consequence principally used for permanent 
pastures and also forlawns For lawns in the hot Southern States 
it is highly prized, as while all other grasses are burned up during 
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 it 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 Virginia. Sow 6 lbs. per acre. 
Price, 70 cts. per lb.; 100 lbs., 60 cts. per lb. 
‘FARM GRASSES,” | 
BERMUDA GRASS. 
New Book 
iat Hed By Professor Wm. J. Spillman, 
Agrostologist U.S. Department of Agriculture. 
Drought-Resisting 
GRASSES. 
AWNLESS BROME GRASS. (Bromus Inermis.) 
This luxuriant drought-resisting, hardy perennial Grass, in- 
troduced into this country by us in 1889, has proven to be a 
most important and valuable hay and pasture grass, thriving 
under the trying conditions of the dry regions of the West and 
Northwest. It is very hardy, living through winters where 
the temperature falls many degrees below zero. It roots deeply, 
grows rapidly, in good soils attaining a height of 4 feet, yielding 
up to four tons of cured hay per acre. Even on very poor, sandy 
land it gives fair crops, having yielded 1 to 14 tons per acre when 
Timothy was a failure. Asa permanent pasture grass, especially 
for dry sections, it is very valuable, starting into growth very 
early in the spring, usually 3 to 4 weeks before other grasses; 
it forms a tough, close turf, stands grazing and the trampling of 
stock, does not dry up in summer, remaining green until late 
in the fall. It is very nutritious either as hay or pasture. Stock 
relish it and thrive on it; experiment stations place its feedin 
value ahead of Timothy, though it does not equal Alfalfa as a 
milk and butter producer, but it is always safe to feed. Brome 
Grass is a splendid humus former and greatly improves the 
physical condition of the soil, the roots penetrating 4 to 6 feet 
deep. Sow the seed broadcast (20 to 25 lbs. per acre) in spring 
or early summer. (Seecut.) Price, 20 cts. per lb., $2.50 per 
bushel (of 14 lIbs.), $16.00 per 100 lbs. 
Bulletin, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C., says: 
“The Brome 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 drought better than 
any other variety.” 
JOHNSON GRASS. (Sorghum Halapense.) As a 
—————————— ————— _ meadow or hay grass, this va- 
riety 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 considered a veritable curse by some farmers by 
spreading into cultivated 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 sheaths, 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 sprout- 
ing, 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, 18 cts. per lb., $4.00 per 
bushel of 25 lbs., $14.00 per 100 lbs. 
perennial creeping 
TEXAS BLUE GRASS. 
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 Bermuda. Sow during 
showery weather in spring or fall, preferably 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 } tb., $3.00 per lb. 
(Poa Arachnifera.) A 
THE SEEDING AND MANGEMENT OF MEADOWS AND PASTURES, 
GRASSES FOR SPECIAL CONDITIONS AND CLIMATES, ETC., ETC. 
j Price, $1.00 
