The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-08-03
BERMUDA GRASS
In Many Respects 1t Is the
Most Desirable Grass For
the Southwest.

A good deal OF interest is being man
ifested among farmers in regard &
Bermuda grass. Very few people
however, appear to know much about
this grass, how to plant and cultivate
and how to get il started to grow.
For the information OF those who are
interested in this grass we insert the
following information taken from "a
Study OF Bermuda Grass" by Charles
X. Francis and r. o. Baird. OF the
Oklahoma Experiment Station, who
have given Bermuda Grass special
study ard eSneriment for years. II
you expect to plant Bermuda Grass il
will pay you we'll to give this article a
careful reading;
Bermuda grass was first described
by Carl Won Lime in 1853 who classI-
fled it, but it was not known by its
present scientific name, capriona cacty-
on, until 1891 when Kuntze re:lassified
the grasses. This grass has a number
OF other names, such as Dog's-t tooth
grass, Scotch grass, Wire grass, i,aha-
ma grass, Indian-cuuch grass, 1t is
claimed tina: Bermuda grass is the
Sacred Durva grass OF the Hindoos
celebrated in the sacred vedas as the
shield OF India in the absence OF which
cattle die.
Bermuda grass is branching plant
which puts out creeping stems or run
ners that have been known to grow
over u feet in a single season. At
short intervals along the stems nodes
or joints form. Wherever these nodes
touch the ground roots grow and in
lew days a young plant is formed
which is independant Of the mother
plant. When this grass is compared
with grasses similar in appearance il
will be noted that two to four leaves
grow from each node of the Bermuda
grass while the Others support but one.
Truly, an average OF three blades OF
grass grow where but one grew before.
Pasture-This grass is without doubt
the best pasture grass grown in the
Southern States, and is especially
adapted 70 the climatic conditions of
Oklahoma. 1t will grow on almost any
Kind of soil, but like any other plant,
will produce the best yields on rich
ground. Bermuda grass will not grow
in cold weather, and turns greenish
brown in winter, but with minimum
rainfall will remain green in Oklahoma
from April to October
Lawns-It has no equal in the South
for lawns, as IL will continue To grow
when the heat is the great est, provided
il is supplied with water occasionally
A dry spell will not kill it, simply re
tard the growth. IL will not do well
in the shade and should not be plant,d d |
beneath trees.
Feed-The chemical composition of |
Bermuda hay shows it to rank very
high as cattle food in comparison
with other hays. This point will be
in detail in Part IL of this
bulletin.
Prevents Washing-Lands well COW
cred by Bermuda grass will not wash
to any extent as the thick mat of grass
and roots form covering which is but
little affected by running water.
Kind of soil necessary Bermuda
grass does well even on poor soil. It
will grow on soils which are so exhaust
ed that they will no longer produce
other crops at profit II will do best
on a rich bottom alluvial soil. 1t is
better adapted to sandy lands than 10
'tiff clays, but will grow in the latter
L It once gets good stand.
Planted on sandy coil Bermuda grass
s valuable in preventing wind action,
Iut 1t is necessary to get the grass set
n light shifting soil early in the spring
o that a good growth may be obtain,d d
before the dry season.
Grown on Alkali Soils-Bermuda ,
rass does not seem 10 be as easily kill I
d by alkali as other crops. This Sta ,
ion has an excellent pasture OF il ON
and which contains so much alkali :
hat other crops cannot be grown there, n
Preparation OF Soil and Planting +