The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-15
johnson Grass.


your columns, we give below an extract
from letter in regard to this grass from
Maj. Hugh H. Gordon, who, in connec-
ton with his father. Gen. John B. Cor
don, has had considerable experience, and
has sown large acreages of johnson grass,
says the Southern Planter:
"When cut at the proper stage, John
son grass is undoubtedly one of the best
of hay grasses. On rich bottom land, it
it a wonderfully rapid grower. and in q
season OF frequent rains we have seen it
from Is to IS inches in hight, in sixty
days or less. If cut when the stalks
are tender. it is one of the most nutri-
tious of all grasses. Stock of all kinds
eat it with apparent relish, and 1 have
been told by several parties that It will
actually sustain a horse or farm mule in
working crop, with little or no addi-
tional feed. Personally, 1 have never
made this test.
THE grass is, however a nuisance of
the worst kind if it gets a start in lands
where it is not desired, and it is exceed
ingly difficult to eradicate it. Grazing is
said to be one method of getting rid of
it, but we have never made this test.
1T is undoubtedly a fine hay grass. On
good land, it will produce several crops
during a season. If. however, it is not
cut when the stalks are tender, they soon
duct unfit for use"
From a general concensus of opinion of
our customers in regard to johnson grass,
we do not believe there is such difficulty
in Graduating it as appears to be enter
tanned. If farmers can produce a. perm
anent stand of grass that will produce far
larger yields than timothy, orchard, or
any of the cultivated grasses, and will
stand permanently and improve year after
year. they certainly should not want it
eradicated If it is cut before it natures
it's seed, as it should be, there is no diff
Guilty in confning IL where it is desired.
and even should ii get into cultivated
fields, we have not found it such seri-
Gus nuisance as is the general impression
in regard TO it; and we believe it can be
gotten rid of either by close grazing or
late summer fall blowing.
Experienced Texas farmers state that
they have no difficulty in controlling 1t.
One of the largest growers of johnson
grass in Texas states, in regard to this,
as follows:
ITO Destroy johnson Grass-During the
months of July and August, the summer
growth of this grass ceases and the sap
goes back 10 the root
with a strong two-horse team break
up the sod. leaving the ridges and fur
rows as high and rough as possible. Pow
to the depth of six inches, as the cutting
off of the roots at that depth in the fall
will cause them to decay, giving no fur
Their growth. In two or three weeks go
crosswise of the burrows with straight
toothed harrow, and all exposed roots cut
off will be destroyed by the sun. When
ready 10 sow tall grain, plow again across
the former burrows to the depth of eight
inches il possible, borrow we'll and plant
wheat, barley. oats, rye. and cover with
slanting- toothed harrow. Give your
stock the benefit of winter pasture, and
cut off the crop in the spring and make
hay of it.
"Plow up the stubble and broadcast two
bushels of cow peas to the acre cover
with harrow or light pillow. and in the
fall cut while stiH green, and make hay
of the growth. Better still for the benefit
of your land Cthe good effects of which
will be seen for years. pillow the vines
under while still green Let them die be-
fore blowing down or you will sour the
land.-Ed), and you have gained a most
valuable fertilizer containing the three
most valuable food elements for soils
viz: Phosphorus. nitrogen and potash.
Follow this with any crop desired, as
your johnson grass is all gone Killed by
three different processes. The cutting off
of the roots six or eight inches below the
surface in the fall effectually destroys
the future growth. The exposing of the
roots cut off to the sun and the winter
freezes will kill all thus reached. Should
by any possibility any escape. the shad-
ing OF the ground by the COW peas the
following summer cuts of all hope OF res
direction.
NOW what have you accomplished In
one years time? You have killed the best
crop the Southern farmer can grow. You
have given your stock green winter food;
made crop OF hay for summer feed.
IL YOU plow under your pea crop you
have an unequsied fertilizer and your
ground has had the best cultivation II
ever had within twelve months time
We believe that Johnson grass Is gO-
ing through very much the ssme expert
ence - Bermuda grass, Ia the opinion 81
the Southern farmers. Bermuda grass
used 10 be- regarded % on enemy 10 be
cot 10 o. ana 40 fght fhy o. but f.
now REGARDED 80 Of fhe greatest value
for psstursgs, and we believe ~ 10 only
4 question ~ time snd experience when
Johnfon grafs VIII be- considered even
moro valuable 10 ibe south 90 hoy frafs
fhsu Bermuda De- or thc present time af
. summer poeura6e Efsff.
AmIus % Roots foF FesainG.