The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1902-03-29
FARMERAND PLANTER.
ABOUT JOHNSON GRASS.


II Diversity Of Opinion
Among Farmers.
The discussion which has been go
ing on for some time, shows that
there is great diversity OF opinion
about the value of Johnson grass.
We give space to all sides of this
subject. because of its importance. II |
johnson grass has all the good quail
ties claimed for it, it is one OF the
most valuable crops that can be
grown. On the other hand it is brand
ed by some as the worst pest that
can be introduced upon southern
| farm.
! Somebody must be mistaken. Both
can hardly be right. 1t is lmportant
| to find the truth. The Cuitivator has
no prejudice in this matter. Its mis-
sion is to get at the truth and help
| it's readers to find all that is good
and detect all that is bad.
| We desire to call attention to few
facts about the habits of growth and
the laws of propagation OF johnson
grass. These may help all parties TO
a better understanding. johnson
grass spreads in two ways. The seed
come up well and are easily distripu-
ted. Birds and cattle scatter them,
and they grow upon almost any KIND
of soil. OF course they grow much
more vigorously on rich soil.
The roots or underground shoots
are full of Joints. Each joint has the
power to put out numerous roots ana
send up numerous sprouts.
| Breaking or cutting these large
roots does not kill or destroy them.
Each piece can start new bunch OF
grass. From this we see that shall
low blowing cultivates and spreads
the grass very rapidly.
From these two sources combined
we see how the grass may very readi-
ly and rapidly spread upon any farm
If the owner is little careless or ig-
norant. His very efforts to destroy
it often result in help6ng to spread It,.
For this reason, many consider 1T a
pest. They dread its appearance up
on the farm.
Can it be destroyed? If SO, how?
This is the burning question with
many. We wish to say first: IT you
do not wish it to spread then do not
suffer it to make seed. This can east
ly be done.
Secondly, we say do not spread the
roots by using shallow running
plows.
Thirdly, we call attention to the
|. fact that johnson grass is species
: of cane. That like all this family o1
; plants its large roots can not live
: and grow, unless the tops grow. Like
, all the green-leaved plants, persist
} emit destruction of the leaved plants
: will prevent the development OF new
: root Joints and kill the old ones. Two
, wears is usually the limit OF then
life. Any method that will prevent
the growth of the tops for two years
will kill the roots.
This can be done by close pastur
ing for two or three years.
It has been done. 1t can be done
In many places on poor soil John
son grass can be destroyed with two
horse plows and fne-toothed har
. rows used in December and january
. The roots are easily killed by cold
. But on rich soil or bottom land tn
: roots will likely be too deep for thi
: method to entirely exterminat
! them.
= There are some places, where 1T
I. almost impossible to destroy Bel
! muda grass. So there may be local
!. ties, where the peculiar soil cond
4 tions make it extremely difficult t
! get rid of johnson grass. But thes
+ are the exceptions and not the ruiz
e In large parts of the south, JohI
v son grass is easily managed and pre-
duces large yields of excellent ha.
le and furnishes good pastures.
,r The trouble is not with the gras
lie but with our methods of dealing wit
IS it. In all such cases we should stud
Of the habits of the plant in question.
S. Cotton abused has proven gres
re curse to southern farming. Cote
u understood and rightly used is
N great boon and an incalculable bles
Dr. ing.
v There is more in the man than
r the plants. Intelligence is the grea
est need of southern agriculture.
N johnson grass, understood al
% rightly used is great blessing Mi
ne understood and misused it may b
y come a real pest.
We think we may consider the ft
oi lowing points as proven by numero'
- experiments:
AZ /. johnson grass. if cut before
- heads, makes good hay, and vel
more per acre than any grass.
g. 1t spreads both from seed al
roots. If not allowed to seed
H. spreads very slowly. If not pillow
=. with shallow plows it does not spre'
Ia from the roots enough TO trouble.
IN 3. 1t has been and can be entire
RS destroyed by close pasturing for t'
IN. or three years, for If the le--ves a
nd kept from growing this long t
. -