The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-11-13
Bermuda Grass-Its Origin and
Value in the South.
BY D. W. RICE, CLINTON, MISS.

In the beginning OI CltS leCCef
desire to say / am not endeavoring
to create a sensation or a demand for
this grass that will advance my pc
cuniary interests, but, on the contra
ry, to introduce grass into a stock
country that will eventually prove of
paramount value to those engaged IN
such an enterprise. '
In view, then, of these facts, l
have chosen this medium to commu-
nicate my knowledge of Bermuda
grass to those who have already intl-
mated their desire to try it, etc.
Bermuda grass, when first intro
duced into this part of Mississippi,
was brought by the car loads to plant
on railroad embankments to prevent
them from washing, and has proven
to be an infallible preventive.
1t was imported from the island Of
Bermuda in North America. A geo.
graphical examination will show this
island to be situated in latitude 3S
deg, and Clinton, Mississippi, in 80.
In view of the fact that it grew lux
uriantly in more northern latitude
when it was scattered on these en-
bankments, l am forced to believe it
will grow in other more northern
states. -*.l
AS forage for stock, it is equal if
not superior to red clover, because it
is of an everlasting growth, and not
quite so woody. It furnishes fine
grazing for cattle, sheep, hogs, etc.,
during the winter in this climate, and
with favorable spring can be mown
as early as April. 1t resembles blue
grass in foliage, and grows from six
to fifteen inches high, and SO dense
that it is difficult task to cut it with
a scythe. It's so tenacious of life and
of such vigorous growth that tits re-
garded among some classes OF cotton
planters as a great pest. 1t grows
luxuriantly IN lazy farmers cotton
fields when the cotton is young, and
under these circumstances crowds it
out. 1t was brought here twenty-five
years ago, and, for reasons stated
above, it soon became unpopular with
the more indolent classes of cotton
planters, while the industrious and
very VaIud0Ic, because 10 furnIsnes
nutritious food for their stock, en-,
riches and preserves their lands, sand,
when once broken, the land will pro-
duce more cotton, corn, ETC., per acre
than other land. Its immense yield,
its rapid growth, it's nutritious prop
critics, it's endurance OF Geld or heat,
its ability to grow and spread even
on our poorest soils, while undergo
ing the process of ordinary blowing,
force me to claim that it is the peer
OF any grass grown in the South or
Southwest. Since its introduction
into this community it has spread for
miles north and south of the railroad,
and now covers many thousand acres
of valuable land. / have received
many letters propounding the follow
ing interrogations 6 How is Bermu-
da grass pfopagated? Will it grow
on clay lands will it grow in sedge,
other grasses or weeds? and what
time is best to plant it ?" etc. In re-
ply to these questions l will say, Der.
muda grass is produced in the island
of Bermuda from seed T; but in this
latitude they do not mature, conse-
quently it is produced from the roots
l have reason to believe it will grow
on any soil that will produce peas
corn, oats, wheat or clover. 1t may
be planted in field of sedge, Other
grasses or weeds, and it will even
tually crowd them out; and no othel
implement of less capacity than two
horse plow can turn over the grass
sod. 1t tiourishes here when PLANTED
in any season Of the year. AS to the
advantages it has over other grasses
/ will venture to submit few of it,
claims, etc.:
First-Thc roots are as large al
wheat straw, measuring from two
to five feet in length, running in every
conceivable direction and in tn,
spring, when the root joint sends on
sprig or shoot, that portion of tn
root between the joints decays, an,
enriches the land.
Second-Because it can be now
three or four times per annum an
will yield from three to five tons c
hay.
Third-1t will enrich land an