Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-10
THE JOHNSON GRASS.


johnson grass is native of southern
Europe, but has been introduced as a
forage plant into most parts of the
civilized world. II is extensively Gull
tivated in the southern States, and
also in northern Texas and California.
One Of our Texas correspondents says
that it produces enormously as a hay
crop, but has the disadvantage of
being difficult TO eradicate. Another
says that it is essentially hay grass,
and may be cut from three to four
times year, but that it should always
be cut before the seed stalks run up,
or else it will be too coarse.
While attending the State Fair last
September, gentleman brought 8
large sheaf OF this grass TO me, which
he stated was grown near Seneca, Ne
maha county, Kansas. The sheaf was
nearly six feet in height. We give the
statement of Ayers & Allen, of Seneca
Nemaha county, Kansas, who have
been cultivating it for several years,
and of whom Kansas-raised seed can
be obtained:
"This grass will grow with less
moisture than sny other grass. lis
roots are white, tender, and as large as
ones finger, and so numerous as to
completely fill the earth for the depth
of dozen feet. They are excellent
hog food. Neither flooding. frost nor
drouth can kill them.
''On very dry ground the tops yield
more hay than alfalfa or clover. Where
stock cat it with alfalfa or Gle yer it
prevents them from causing bloat. 1t
can be started on pasture lands with
out blowing, and where il once gets
start it comes to stay-spreading by
seed and roots until ii runs out every
thing else.
"Stock prefer it 10 any other grass :;
it equals bluegrass or timothy in milk
and fat-producing qualities. 1t can be
propagated from root cuttings or
seed.'
johnson grass is meeting with great
favor in the Arkansas valley. We give
herewith the experience of A. Hollings-
worth, prominent farmer near Win
field, Kansas. He says:
when located in Edwards county,
southwestern Kansas. in the winter of
1879, sent South for small amount
of johnson grass seed; the seed failed
to reach my ranch until about the mid
die of April, 1880. There had been no
rain for seven months, and the ground
was hard and dry and could not posi-
bly, be plowed. | weighted down my
harrow, but with little or no effect.
But / sowed the seed. Several hum
dred head of sheep, and a number of
cattle crossed over il four mes each
day all summer; still no "a n came
until June. What seed had not blown
away terminated and continued TO
grow, but was eaten down as fast as it
showed above ground, and the sheep
paved the ground TO get below the
level. Still there was no die to it the
roots penetrated the ground ten TO
twelve inches deep. A few seed that
found lodgment in the cornfield sent
out sixty 10 seventy shoots from two
TO six feet high, and would measure at
least two feet in diameter in the brush.
In the fall fenced in the strip to see
If it would winter-kill, and it had a
grand test, as it was the most severe
winter | have experienced in Kansas.
In the spring of 1881 l found that the
severe winter that froze my water
pipes twenty inches deep had not
affected the plant. then put in ten
acres, and, with another very dry sea-
son, it made a fine growth. cut ten
tons of fine hay off of five acres, LET the
other five seed, whipped it off to
thicken the growth, and then pastured
1t down. AL kinds of stock devour it
with great relish, either as hay or in
pasture. With proper seeding and
care three tons can be cut TO the acre
the first season, by cutting In juno and
August. l shall in my new location
sow twenty acres next spring, and
have not the least fear of splendid sue
cess in this locality. To get the best
results it should be sown about the
middle of August. am satisfied that
it is the grass for Kansas above all
Others, and intend to seed one hun
dred acres as soon as can. The only
objection is that it is so very hard to
get out. 1t has TO be cut green. then
plowed three times the first season,
and what seed takes reot the next
must be dug up TO prevent seeding
again. This TO me is its great recon-
smendation. Kansas wants some kind
of tame grass that can be gotten in
We have quite enough that can be got
ten out too easily"
Colonel killebrew, in his valuable
work on ''The Grasses of Tennessee"
thus describes the johnson grass:
at rises with stem from four to
twelve feet high, according TO the soil
on which it grows; leaves linear, fex-
uous, graceful, curling down a: the |
points like corn; flowers in panicle,
at first green, changing gradually to
brown. 1t grows well on bottom land,
and just as well on upland, and though |
on poor upland it will make but little !
hay, it makes fine pasture. 1t likes
hot, dry weather, and while all other |
grasses seem to feel the effects of the |
hot sun, this retains its 'ep, rich (;
green color, being but little affected by
the drouth."
We intend testing ii the coming sea-
son, and would advise every progress
i've Kansas farmer 10 do the same
Kansas Farmer.
There are signs of a change of policy
on the part of Germany regarding the
importation of our pork. The late
official communication of Bismarck TO
the German consuls in this country is
significant. He says the prohibition
of American pork arose from sanitary