THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 25 



cut for hay, consistiug liriiicipally of herds grass (red top), the clovers, 

 timothy, and orchard grass in the order named. Bermuda grass is 

 reported to be cut for hay to a greater extent than any other, except 

 the crab grass. The millets are cultivated for hay, and are deserving 

 of more attention, for, being annuals, tbey can be grown successfully 

 in all parts of the South. In Louisiana the cow-pea is considered one 

 of the best forage crops, and its cultivation is extending. In the Eed 

 Eiver district sorghum of various kinds is largely raised for food. 



JOHXSOX GRASS. 



Johnson grass is steadily growing in favor and its cultivation extend- 

 ing. It is being introduced on the low, wet prairie lands of Texas, and 

 the reports are quite favorable. It is essentially a hay grass, and may 

 be cut three or four times a year. It should always be cut before the 

 seed stalks run up, else it will be too coarse. It is even more difficult 

 to exterminate when once well set than Bermuda, hence should not be 

 allowed to seed. The best way to eradicate it is by frequent plowings 

 in July and August, ex})osing the roots as much as possible to the sun. 

 It will not bear tramping. 



Both this grass and Bermuda are regarded as a great blessing, or as 

 an unmitigated evil, according to the standpoint from which they are 

 viewed. The exclusive cotton-planter is apt to look upon them with 

 unabated hostility, while those who are begiuniug to diversify their 

 <3rops look upon these and other grasses as a great boon. 



In these States hay should be secured eaily enough in the season to 

 allow the meadows to get a good start before the summer drought sets 

 in, so that the roots may have a good protection during this trying 

 period. Meadows should not be pastured until the fall rains set in, 

 and then only lightly, and never when the ground is soft from much 

 rain. Care should be taken not to pasture too late in the spring, 

 thereby preventing the grass from growing tall enough to cut before 

 the heat of summer. According to the reports, the farmers are accus- 

 tomed very generally to pasture too closely, which causes great injury, 

 if not destruction, to the grass. 



PERMANENT PASTURE. 



For a permanent pasture grass the Texas blue grass {Poa arachni- 

 fera) promises to be one of the very best grasses yet brought to the 

 attention of the South. It is a strong, deep-rooted grass, with an 

 abundance of foliage, and seems to possess all of the characteristics 

 necessary for a grass to be successful in most parts of the South. It 

 grows in woods or open prairie, and thrives upon a variety' of soils, 

 poor as well as rich, but has not, so far as reported, been tried upon a 

 dry, sandy soil. This grass seems worthy of earnest consideration by 



