The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-11
LOOKING AFTER JOHNSON GRASS.
A Government Expert Is Now on His
Way to Texas.

A Government Expert Is Now on His
Way to Texas.
New Orleans Plcayuue
Carleton X. BAH OF the division Of agro.
stology of the United States department
OF agriculture passed through the city yes
terday on his way to Texas, where he Is
going to make some very interesting ex-
perIments He was Mt the Grunewald for
several hours, and was seen by a Picayune
representative just as he was leaving on
the Southern Pacific for Austin and Fort
worth, where his experiments will he made.
"The subject that ls engaging my at
tention lust now" said Mr.. BAH, rs that
Of johnson grass. which has been propa.
gated here to such an extent that the cot
ton growers think IL an unmlHgated evil.
As matter of fact 1t is destructive to
the usefulness Of some Of the best cotton
lands in the south, and the department is
now engaged in showing Its value and fur
nishing instruction as to the best means Of
destroying It where II Is advisable that 1t
should he eXterninated.
This is a grass belonging to the FAMILY
of sorghumS, and II was introduced INTO
this country long time ago IL Is a stlons
"a owing grass and easily spreads 80 as to
take possession of held. ANA IL Is me
best cotton land that suffers most ms mat
rich aluvlal soil Is the best adapted 10
It's propagation IL grows from the seed
and from the running roots which soon mat
the soil and make It almost Impossible 10
destroy the grass without using the most
approved methods.
the grass be exterminated, as 1t Is worth
more for hay, II properly harvested ana
cured, than the cotton that would ne raiser
on the same land. If II Is desired u make
hay of 1t two points should be observed,
and thus the best results secured ana me
least danger incurred of spreading the
grass
''In the arst place IL should be cut young
before the seed natures. as In the seed IT
is tough and woody and before II Is tender
aud sweet, making a nay superior 10 many y
the seed are allowed TO mature the wind
will spread them, and they Will be dropped
by the animals that eat the hay thus
not desirable that II should grow.
I'm the next place, II good meadow Is
desired from this grass the land must he
plowed at least once d. three years nnd
thoroughly narrowed! Win this treatment
the land will produce the best results,
and the Yield NAV be increased by sowing
the same land after blowing with oats.
The oats must not he allowed TO mature,
as the hay will mature With II. and the
seed thus be distributed, which Is to be
avoided Cowpeas can he sowed at the
same time, instead Of oats, With great ben
eft TO the land by the nitrogen which the
cowpCa roots viii supply 10 the soil ana
the cnwpca hay rs better thaH the othcI
II any difference exists as 70 the value Of
the two
GAS TO the best method of destroying
the grass, 1t has been advised that me
farmer pow the grass under at the hottest
and dryest time of the summer, and expose
the roots as much as possible; second
blowing should be given the land as soon
as the grass, begins to spront again IN and
should be sufficient TO kill it, and The work
can be made effectuai bg destroying the
few scattering blades That will make thclr
oppearance afterward which may be easily
done al the time the crop which It Will
then be possible to plant on the land Is
cultivated.
dThIs Is the work that | am 10 do IN
Texas / am to make practical experiment.
IN the destruction Of the grass In lands
that will he selected by the department 8
agent by the time I shall get there I h
and tho experiments to he made will he
printed In a pamphlet report which ] will
prepare as soon as return TO Washing.
ton, and win he distributed free TO those
who are interested In the subject"