The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-16
JOHNSON GRASS.

RYJ. II. KILLEBREw, AN. PH.D.
At meeting of the east Tennessee
farmers convention. held In Knoxville
on the 22d ult.. many questions OF prac-
ticaI value to the farmers of the south
were intelligently and. I'm some cases.
exhausiively discussed. Among other
subjects that claimed the attention of
the convention WAS the grasses best
suited for cultivation I'm the southern
states The value of bermuda grass for
pastures I'm the states south of Tennes-
see was fully recognized by the members
Of the convention. and the opinion was
expressed that in the cotton-growing
sections IL was the most valuable OF all
indigenous grasses. When, however, a
few expressed the belief that Johnson
grass is a valuable acquisition to the for
age plants Of the south. this opinion was
met by a perfect storm OF opposition; In
fact. many thought il the most unmiu-
gated pest ever introduced into any
country IL Is almost ineradicable, and
though this grass supplies large
amount Of food forage for horses and
cattle. and furnishes great quantity OF
succuIent roots. greedily devoured by
swine. vet land set In Johnson grass Is
rendered almost worthless for all other
crops. and this is the almost universal
opinfon among the farmers of east Ten
nessee as EXPRESSED I'm the convention.
The writer has never seen real practi-
cal farmer who experimental with this
grass. and sowed IL on his farm. that did
not regret II.
II one wishes TO raise nothing but hay;
II he has no regard for the rights OF his
neIehbors: IL he expects never again 10
grow tiIlage crops on his farm. then the
wisdom Of sowing Johnson grass may
be commended Otherwise II should be
left severely alone. for no time Will com
pIeteIy eradicate IL when once well set
upon good land. It has thick. feshy
root stock that penetrates the soil In eV-
cry direction and throws up a culm from
every Joint. II single piece OF root an
inch long is left In the ground IL Will be
the prolific mother Of n numerous pro-
penv of sNalks and roots within a year.
IL IS possessed of n strange and extra
ordinary vitality. A barrel of salt pour
ed upon a bed OF IL eight feet square did
not destroy the roots. Within month
the salt disappeared. leaving a briny sur
face. hut the invincible roots set up an
army of numerous stalks that waved
their flags in victory over the bed that
was intended To be their grave.
The only possible way To keep John
son grass in subjection. So far as the
writer knows. is TO pasture IL with hogs
and never suffer the grass to go 10 seed.
FREQUENT plowing OF the land and bring
ing the roots TO the surface, so that the
hogs may ind them readily, VIII assist
I'm keeping it down. One OF the greatest
virtues is that hogs will thrive upon its
succulent roots. which they seem to pre-
fer even TO ariichokes. They never tire
I'm searching for them.
Rich. weIl-drained. calcareous soils ana
va
this grass most luxuriantly, hut 1t will
thrive on a sandy dune. In a barren field.
ON a rocky ledge. wherever IL can find
handful OF dirt, and II will even flourish
I'm the bottom OF n gully. II knows not
how to fail In southern climate II VIII
grow on any spot, and VIII resist the
severest drouChts. withstand the coolest
weather of southern winters and make
vigorous growth whore hut few other
planst will thrive. u is, In sense. the
most self-assertive Of all the grasses.
and. like the wild garlic. will propa gate
itself equally as well from the roots as
from the seeds.
With all its bad qualities II is probably
th. most prolific perennial hay grass In
the. United States. In the latitude OF
Tennessee northern Alabama and. in
deed. throughout the south. II may be
moved three to four times year, ana
will Yield at each moving from two to
three tons OF excellent hay when grown
on rich soil. After the seeds are formed
the stalks grow haru, which makes the
hay unfit for stock. John b. McEwen'
of y .uiams county, Tennessee, "A most
observant farmer, speaks I'm rather ex-
travagant terms Of the quality of hay
made from this grass. and declares that
II IS the best hay he makes on hs farm.
When young, johnson grass Is very