The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1877-10-25

I've happy giaves, made by the sweet spring breeze
with apple blossoms white;
LIappe in cool grasses when June's roses blow;
In autumn's splendOT, or in winters snow,
Always peaceful sight.
Rermuds GII ass-Its Origin and VaIu e lin
the South.
In your issue of the Weekly Courier
Journal, bearing date of the 9Th inst,
appeared my letter in reply to an inquiry
made through your columns in regard to
Bermuda grass. Since its publication,
have received a number of letters from
Kentucky, Indiana and other states,
making further inquiries relative to this
peerless grass, its growth, yield and adj
vaHtages over other grasses. have
chosen to reply to many of these letters
through your columns, inasmuch as my
attention is so closely occupied at present
as to force me to foregO the pleasure of
answering many of them through the
regular channel of epistOlary correspond
ence.
In the beginning of this letter desire
TO say / am not enjeavoIing to create a
sensation or demand for this grass that
will advance my pecuniary interest, but,
on the contrary, to introduce a grass into
a stock country, that will eventually
prove of paramount value Of those
engaged in such an enterprise.
In view, then, of these facts, | have
chosen this medium to communicate my
knowledge of Bermuda grass to those who
have already intimated their desire to
try it, etc.
Bermuda grass, when first introduced
into this part eff Mississippi was brought
by carloads to plant on railroad embank-
ments to prevent them from washing,
and has proven to be an infallible pre-
Ventive.
1t was imported from the island of
Bermuda in South America. a geo
graphical examination will show this
island to be situated i'll latitude SO deg,
aud Clinton, Miss, in 80, In view OF
the fact that it grew Iuxuriantly in a
more northern latitude when it was
scattered on the entertainments, am
forced to believe it will grow in other
more northern states. AS a forage for
stock, it is equal if not superior to
red clover, because it is of an
everlasting growth, and not quite so
woody. 1t furnishes fine grazing for
cattle, sheep, hogs, etc, during the
winter in this climate, and with a favor
able spring can be mOwn as early as April.
It resembles blue grass in foliage, and
grows from six to fifteen inches high, and
so dense that it is a difficult task to cut
it with scythe. 1t is so tenacious of
life and of such vigorous growth that is
regarded among some classes of cotton
planters as a great pest. 1t grows luxu-
riantly in lazy farmers cotton fields
when the cotton is young, and under
these circumstances crowd it out. 1t was
brought here twenty-five years ago, and
for reasons stated above it soon became
unpopular with the more indolent classes
rI,sl
and successful farmers claim that it is
very valuable, because it furnishes
nutritious food for their stock, enriches
their lands, and, when once broken, the
land,will produce more cotton, corn, ETC.,
per acre than other land. Its immense
yield, its rapid growth, its nutritious
properties, its endurance of cold or heat,
It's ability to grow and spread even on
our poorest soil, while undergoing the
ordinary process of blowing, force me to
claim tnat it is the peer of any grass
grown in the south or southwest. Since
its introduction into this community II
has spread for miles north and south o.
the railroad, and now covers many thou
sand acres of valuable land. l have re-
ceiyed many letters propounding the
following interrogations: " How is Der
muda grass prOpagated? Will 1T grow
on clay lands Will it grow in sedge
other grasses or weeds? and what time
is best to plant it ?" etc. In reply tt
these questions 1 will say Bermuda grass
is produced in the island of BermudS
from seed but in this latitude they dc
not mature, consequently it is produced
from the roots. I have reason to believe
it will grow on any soil that will produce
peas, corn, oats, wheat or clover. Il
NAV be planted in field of sedge, Other
grasses or weeds, and it will eventually
crowd them out; and no other nipple
ment of less capacity than tWo-hOrst
pillow can turn over the grass sod. II
lourishes here when planted in any
season of the year, but in Kentucky
north Alabama and more northern
states, do not think it would grow only
when planted in spring and summer. AZ
to the advantages it has over Other
grasses, l am unprepared to set forth in
full however, | will venture to submit
a few of its claims, &c.
First The roots are as large as wheat
straw, measuring from two to five feet in
length, running in every conceivable
direction, and in the spring when the
root Joint sends out a sprig or shoot, that
portion of the root between the joints
decays and enriches the land.
Second: Because it can be mown three
or four times per annum and VIII yIelC
from three to five tons of hay.
Third: 1t will enrich land anG
flourish under constant pasturiug of cat
tie and sheep.
Fourth: Because it will grow (unlik,
all other grasses) when once planted unit
YOU kill it by constant blowing in mid
winter or summer
Prior to the introduction of Bermuda
grass into this country the fearful maladl
Of murrain, dry murrain, bloody murrain
staggers, etc, prevailed among cattle
but such a disease is scarcely know
TO cattle raisers. The disappearance o
these cattle diseases is imputed to tn,
fact that Bermuda grass grows luxu
riantly during the entire summer anC
i. fall seasons, so that there is compare
lively little dry or decayed grass fol
them to eat to produce these diseases.
am of the opinion that it will act as
preventive in sections where cattle are
afflicted with the above maladies. Thii
conclusion is based upon the fact thai
when. other grasses are perishing from
excessive drouth this grass will be found
T. its orraan color and oIoSa in