The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-11-27
BERN uda Grass.

The Circular questions upon which
this report is based, contained some
pointed inquiries, tending to develop the
advantages or disadvantages Of BERN uda
Grass which has been considered by so
many (in past years. as little more than
a dangerous jest.
The following questions were pro-
pounded to correspondents, and The sub
stance Of the answers condensed as ap-
pended:
! Number Of months it affords graz
ing fog stock?
The answers vary from TO months,
or from Spring until frost and where not
grazed closely, and partially protected
by old field pines, throughout the winter.
y. Its value for hay and grazlng?'
The replies are almost unanimous
in stating its great superiority for sum
mer grazing over any grass grown Ia this
climate, and on rich land it produces
very large yield Of the most nutritious
hay
.e3. What grasses or plants sown on
Bermuda sod viii thrive and furnish
grazing during winter"
Several correspondents reply that oats,
rye, or barley may he successfully sown
on the sod, ana either grazed during
winter, or the grain be harvested III
spring One correspondent has succeed
ed with California clover; another with
white clover sown in the fall.
81 Can it be exterminated, or sub
dued so rs to admit Of cultivating the
land in other crops? Give the best
method of accomplishing this"
This was the most important question
submitted, and it is remarkable with
what uuauimity those who have expert
ence with Bermuda answer the first part
of it afiirmatively, referring to ordinary
dry uplands In low, rich bottoms Ii Is
generally considered very difficult, if not
impracticable, to subdue it.
The sod should be plowed and cross
plowed in early fall or winter, Every shall
Iowa then narrowed so as to expose the
root as much as possible to freezing, at
the same time sowing either Of the small
grain. After harvesting the grain, SOW
Immediately in peas, or plant In late corn
and cultivate. Some have succeeded IN
making very fine crops Of cotton the year
following the fall blowing, without the
Intervention of small grain crop.
50. b at time and manner Of setting
land in Il rmuda?"
The majority favor planting in March
or April, preparing the land as for corn,
and dropping small pieces of the root at
convenient distances and covering with
the foot or with one furrow. Some adj
wise to collect the roots, free them from
earth, cut them with straw cutter, SOW
broadcast and pillow in. The planting
may be done successfully at any time
during spring and summer, if not fol
lowed by too dry weather.
IS. VIII it make a good pasture on or
binary uPland?'
The answers were generally, eyes;
but like everything else, the better the
land the better the pasture"
81. At what price can lands overrun
with Bermuda be purchased?'
The replies Indicate that the owners
of such lands, so far from considering
them deteriorated in value, set a higher
valuation on their farms on account OF
the value Of the grass.
The opinions of those who have had
long experience with Bermuda grass
though regarded at first az a great curse
lead 20 the conclusion that it will
prove Il great blessing to the farmer, in
stead of curse.-Georgia Crop Report
for September, 1878.