The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-08
Forage Plants of the South.
JOHNSON GRASS.


There is no question as to the value Of this
grass on the stock or dairy farm, however
much it may be deemed pest on cultivated
soils. The quality that renders it pest and
athing to be avoided, where grass killing is
the idea rather than grass growing, is the
very quality that recommends it to the
stock farmer who is seeking for some-
thing permanent; who wants to
sow some forage plant that will endure
for many years with only a
little attention now and then. johnson
grass sorghum hGLGpeuse) has deserved
place In the encouomy OF the stock and
DAIRY farm just as well as lucern or bur
clover or any other plant that may be men,
TONED. As remarked previously, variety in
1000 Is important, and there should not be
Just clover or just grass on the farm, but
There should be combination of both.
johnson grass in moist bottoms produces
immense crops, yielding after the first year
or two several cuttings during the season.
Unlike lucern and burr clover it is very
susceptible to frost, but it springs into
growth very early in the spring, and on
good land is ready to cut in q very little
while after the latest severe frost. Even on
poor upland it makes better crop than
almost any plant we have ever tried. With
a lar application Of some good
tertiilzer for year or two very infertile
sou can have this grass established upon it.
ana the grass, once established, will steadily
enrich the soil year by year. This effect is
accomplished by the annual decay Of the
cane-llke roots New roots spring forth
from the old, and the old ones decay and
supply humus to the soil. 1t enriches soil
as effectually as Bermuda grass.
"A good many common names have been
applied to this plant in different sections of
tne country, but the proper one is the one
nere gwen. In the past it has been known
" some under the name of Means grass"
40 some sections it has been known under
. .ue various names of Egyptian grass"
arabian millet," Scuba grass" Morocco
miliet, Australian millet," Evergreen
iinillet," Green Valley grass" and some
nave even called it Guinea grass" which
conIounds it with another grass which is an
annual. and not near so desirable plant.
The johnson grass can be propagated
either by seeds or by division of the roots,
tne latter being the better and more conven-
.en1 plan If the roots can be readily OBJ
famed. 1t is stated in the books generally
mat 1t bears seeds abundantly, which is the
case, but only a very small proportion of
them are fertile usually, and to insure a
good stand promptly it is necessary to use
cUhslderably more seed than is gener-
euy recommended. When sown care
1ully broadcast at least two bushels of seeds
should be used. and the sowing, if made
"a the fall, should be made early enough
un September or early Octoberl TO allow
TIE plants to take coed root before frost
comes and put check on It, The soil should
De thoroughly prepared with pillow and har-
row. aid If the soil is poor applying the
manure as literally as one can. After SOW
ing on a thoroughly narrowed soil the land
'should have roller run over it so as to
Orlng the seeds up properly.
when sown in the spring about corn-
planting time) it Is better to sow in 20 to "a
fneh drills and cultivate enough the first