Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-20
SOUTHERN GRASSES.
DATA ABOUTTHEG GUINEA, CANA
AND OTHER GRASSES.

Mr.. c. Menelas, Of this city, who has
line plantation in Mississippi, and who
does a good deal in the way Of expert
mentng with fruits, grains, grasses and
| plants of one kind and another, had his
attention a few days ago called to two
/ kinds Of grasses in this county which
/ were new to him. Knowing that the cult
| walton OF grass, and the production OF
| hay would be a source of great wealth to
/ the South, he at once began TO make in
yestigations with regard TO the Sc grasses,
with the idea OF finding out their names,
characters, qualities, values, etc. \ re-
preventative OF the MORNING NEWS
hearing that Mr.. Menelas had run across
q couple OF new grasses called on him to
ret what information he possessed with
regard to them.
Ia answer TO questions, Mr.. Meme
las said that he was very anxious TO find
grass that would meet the wants Of the
south, and watch would save the South
The necessity and expense Of buying hay
from the North.
CIV here did you find the grasses which
you are now interested in investigating
"One OF them found ia the garden of a
gentleman in this city, and the other
| found on the plantation OF the same gem
tleman few miles from the city"
w bat are the characteristics Of the
grass found in the gardeuY'
LAS | saw it In the garden il appeared
20 he from two and a half to four feet
nigh; had a rather slender stalk and was
| covered with green succulent blades. At
the top it had quite an abundance Of seed.
The gentleman in whose garden the grass
was found called it corn grass There
were three or four patches of it."
"What action did you take with regard
to it?'
Of Agriculture at Washington with a
request for information with regard to
it,"
"What reply did you getY'
"The Commissioner wrote that it was
known as Guinea grass (Panicum max
imun), very valuable grass, that was
| sometimes contounded with what is
! known as johnson grass in the South. He
said, however, that it was very different
and much more valuable grass"
do you know anything about the
Guinea grasp
81 have acquainted myself with it. DR..
Pheres, of Mississippi, says that where it
has had proper care the crop is enormous;
and in Jamaica, where it is extensively
cultivated, ii is held next to sugar in
value of crop. The roots are very easily
killed by cold, and in this country must
be protected like sugar cane roots. The
fact that the grass grows in this city,
| however, and lives without having any
protection to its roots in winter, is pretty
good evidence that the climate of this
latitude is not too severe for it,"
How is it propagated?"
1.-The Commissioner Of Agriculture
says that it is propagated in this country
by dividing the roots, because the seed
does not come to maturity. but 1 think
that the seed viii come to maturity in
this latitude. In the garden where this
| grass was found, it has sprung up from
| the seed, and the seed is being saved the
! present year for the purpose Of giving it a
| trial on larger scale in this county,
and also, in Mississippi"
$40 you know anything about the value
! Of this grass?'
Il am assured that it may be cut five or
six times a year, and that il Yields an
! immense quantity Of good forage"
lis this grass grown IN any part of the
! South now?'
II am informed that there are patches
| of it in Florida, and nave seen a pub
| hshed statement that Capt. f. A. Hendry,
! of Fort Myers, Fla, cultivates it with
| great success for grazing purposes.
| have written to him for information about
! u, but have not yet received an answer.
| | hope, however, that any one who
has any information about it will
make 1t known, because il this
| grass can he grown with success in the
| south, the Southern people viii be able to
! save millions of dollars annually which
! they now send TO the North for hay. and
they will also be in position 10 raise
/ cattle upOn an extensive scale. The South
does not raise good cattle now, because
size doesn't cultivate good grazing grasses
| and doesn't save any hay"
'Is there any evidence anywhere that
horses and cattle like the Guinea grass p
son, yes. 1t Is said that in Jamaica
| The mules VIII not touch grain when they
| can get this grass. They keen fat on it,
although hard worked. Mr.. james John
son, of Mulet Creek, Fla, some wears ago
imported some OF the seed from jamaica.
He said that his stock fed upon il with
great avidity, and be expressed the opin-
ion that with this grass Florida could
easily be made the finest grazing State in
the Union"
lis there any trouble to get rid of it?'j
"None at all. The trouble is to get it to
grow"
''What about the CANA grassy"
at is also a very valuable grass. II is
found on some rice plantations. IL is d
native Of the South, and at one time was
found in all the Southern States from the
iuNhhNhiho W AuG HrAHuOlCs IL - uhl NlleN
met with now, however, and no attention
il paid 10 its cultivation. Tn re is a little
Of IL TO be found in Mississippi and Louis
lana"
do cattle like itY''
eyes, they relish IL when il is green and
eat it readily when cured, because II
makes a sweet nutritious, but coarse
hay"
"Does Il yield well?'
vfa Anr firI ~.
halt dozen times a year, and a good cror
can be obtained each time. 1t should be
cut before the stems run up. The blades
OF this grass sometimes measure 7 feet
ia length. ana the culm 10 feet. IL Is
rather difficult % get rid OF 10 when il once
gets fairly started IN a field. In fact
about the only way to get rid Of it is q
Craze It ont"
Are there other grasses in the South
that are valuabley'
Yes, many kinds. For instance, there
Is the Bermuda grass, which will grow
abundantly ion any part OF the South, and
which is most excellent for pasture and
tor nay. The weld TX extremely large
10 is o grass Of which cattle are very fond
Then there is the Japan clover, which ID
almost as valuable as red clover. II
grows In many sections OF the South, and
is good for grass or hay. Cattle thrive on
10, either as grass or hay. There are
many other kinds OF native grasses, but
NJ the head Of all is the paspulum or water
grass, which is extremely nutritious and
Oh. o. d b. al