CENTIPEDE GRASS 
Centipede grass, introduced by the U. S. De- 
partment of Agriculture in 1919 from China, has 
proven, through many years of continued experi- 
ments and impartial comparisons with other grass- 
es, that it will stand more abuse and get along 
with less eare and attention than any other lawn 
grass. Although it is not a “Miracle Grass,” it 
requires only common sense treatment to give 
maximum results. It is especially drought resistant, 
and is, therefore, well suited to the long hot and 
dry summers of the southwest. | 
DESCRIPTION 
It is a low growing perennial grass, spreading 
by creeping stems that root at each joint, thus 
forming a very dense resilient mat of stems and 
leaves. It has no underground runners and so may 
be easily controlled. Centipede is, in appearance, 
halfway between St. Augustine and Bermuda. Al- 
though it does not usually stay green in the winter, 
it greens up sooner than these other two grasses. 
At maturity, Centipede grows to a height of 3-4 
inches, depending on soil and environment. Since 
it requires so little mowing, usually three or four 
times a year, it has become known as the “Lazy 
man’s grass.” Where beauty is of secondary im- 
portance, it demands no attention, once it is estab- 
lished. 
Centipede grass is ideal for home lawns, grass 
plots around industrial plants, cemetery plots, 
school grounds, athletic fields, golf course fairways, 
terraces, road shoulders, erosion control and many 
other places where a hardy grass is needed. 
PLANTING 
Centipede will definitely grow on any soil, re- 
gardless of fertility, if it is properly drained. Soil 
preparation, before planting, is desirable but not 
essential, if grass is kept moist during early 
growth. In regard to the time to plant, we de not 
advise planting in mid-winter, nor in mid-summer, 
