ase Wine OVS WOISTRIBUTORS_ =) so 4 
BERMUDA GRASS Cynodon dactylon 
Without a doubt the most dependable turf-forming grass yet to become acclimated 
to southern soils and climate. Shows preference for fertile, moist, clay-loam 
soils; but grows on any soil when supplied with relatively abundant moisture. 
Bermuda grass is utilized for diverse purposes. It is the foundation grass for 
southern lawns and golf courses, yet no other grass is used so extensively and is 
so well adapted for southern pastures or erosion control. Used also for high- 
way maintenance, airports, army bases, and to hold embankments and levees. 
It is also the best grass yet found for irrigated pastures of the Southwest. Seeds 
well in arid to dry climates of Arizona under irrigation, whence comes the bulk 
of the seed grown for planting purposes. The plants form dense turf 3-8 inches 
deep; spreading by means of seeds, underground root stocks and surface rooting 
stems or stolons; very leafy; somewhat drought-resistant. The seeds are very 
small, and most rapid germination is from hulled seed. Good in mixtures with 
other lawn and pasture grasses and clovers such as Dallis grass, Carpet grass, 
Rescue grass, Common Ryegrass, White Dutch clover, Bur-clover, Black Medic, 
Lespedeza, Hop clover and Persian clover. 
BIG BLUESTEM Andropogon furcatus 
A native perennial bunch grass valuable for spring, summer and early fall 
pasture. Like corn and sorghum, it prefers rich, fertile, well drained soil within 
the 30-40 inch rain belt. The deep penetrating root system adds organic matter 
to the subsoil and prevents erosion. Responds well to cultivation. The plants 
spread by short root stocks to form luxuriant, dense, leafy growth 1-2 ft. high. 
Stems many, tall (3-6 ft.) not woody but brittle at maturity, terminated by 
forked seed stems 2-3 inches long. Taller and ranker growing than Little Blue- 
stem, with wider leaves and higher moisture content. 
BLUE GRAMA Bouteloua gracilis 
The most valuable perennial grazing grass on the western range. Furnishes 
grazing in the spring and fall to winter. Cattle fatten on it with very little 
additional feed. It controls water and wind erosion. Best adapted on the brown, 
fertile soils of west Texas and the higher altitudes in the Southwest and Mexico. 
Plants with numerous narrow leaf blades, seed stems slender, upright, 1-2 feet 
above the turf. On flat land under grazing forms dense solid turf; but a more 
bunchy habit of growth on hill land. Identified by the seed spikes, which have the 
appearance of small brushes attached banner-like to the uppermost part of the 
stems. 
BUFFALO (Mesquite) GRASS Buchloe dactyloides 
One of the most nutritious and fattening grasses for pasture and range from 
Texas north to Canada, readily grazed by all classes of livestock from late 
spring to late winter. Grows best on tight clay and clay loam soils. Turf thick 
and perennial; plants spreading by means of many surface runners radiating in 
all directions; leaves fine and abundant. Becomes dormant during drought and 
in winter. Grows with Bermuda in drier soils, where it is also valuable as a lawn 
grass. Seeds are borne in small burs on short seed stems among the leaves. 
While most nutritious in the cool moist to cool dry periods of spring and fall, 
it cures on the ground and retains some of its feed value during periods of 
drought and in winter. 
CARPET GRASS Axonopus compressus 
A perennial mat-forming grass well adapted to the humid regions of the high 
rainfall belt in coastal prairie pastures and the pine timber soils. While not 
considered so palatable and nutritious as some other grasses, it is a valuable 
foundation pasture grass in those areas. Bermuda grass, Lespedeza, and White 
Dutch clover are good in mixture with Carpet grass which flourishes through most 
of the year and is grazed by stock even when it has been browned by: frost. 
Easily eradicated by one plowing. 
Carpet grass, as its name indicates, is also used for lawns, but should not be 
confused with the shade-loving St. Augustine grass, Stenotaphrum secundatum, 
frequently, but inaccurately, called Carpet grass. St. Augustine grass has seed- 
heads borne down among the leaves, whereas true Carpet grass sends up slender 
seed stems 10-15 inches above its leaf growth. 
