The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-08-03

clean and rich as possible and in good
mechanical condition. Fall and winter
plowing and frequent harrowings to-
gether with a dressing Of manure will
be found worth while.
Seed not Satisfactory Experience
has shown that Bermuda grass seed is
low in terminating power and eKpen-
sive, costing from SOC to 81 25 per 10.
The plants from seed are very tender
and grow slowly, so they are easily in
jured and choked back or killed by
weeds The grass from seed freezes
back in wintey and often does not be-
gin 10 grow until May. Small tracts or
lawns may be seeded when roots or
pieces Of sod are not to be obtained
The seed may be sown broadcast or,
preferably, in drills.
Planting from Sod-The most prac-
teal method Of planting Bermuda grass
is to set out portions Of the sod on the
prepared land early in March and not
later than June tenth. The earlier the
planting the better, providing there is
no frost in the ground.
The following method has been re-
commended by this Station in a pre-
vious bulletin, which is now out Of
print.
Method "A"-After the land has
been prepared burrows about six inches
deep should be made with a single
shovel plow. The burrows should be
about six inches apart and pieces Of
sod about two inches square dropped
every eighteen inches. Cover these.
either by using the foot as the sod is
dropped. or hoe or a double. shovel
plow. The depth OF covering will de
pend upon the condition OF the soil II
it is dry thicker covering may be Civ
en- than IL it is wet. 1t will not be ad-
visable to cover with harrow. The
small amount Of labor thus saved will
be more than Offset 10y the delay in
getting good stand OF grass.
When but a limited amount Of Ber-
muda grass roots. from which the dirt
has been shaken, "a available, the pre-
pcration OF the soil should be the same.
But the roots must be planted with
more care than the sod, and the soil
mus; be well packed about them with
a roller. or tamped. 1t is desirable to
have little OF the root exposed to the
air This is not necessary when the
sod is planted it may be completely
covered.
The following methods have been
suggested
Method "B"-In the fall while
breaking the land with turning plow
drop small pieces OF sod in every third
furrow behind the plow, one to two
feet distant, the next turrow slice be-
ing made 10 cover these. Then SOW
rye on the land and in the spring Craze
down TO aid in removing the shade
from the crop and to firm the land.
Horses and sheep should not be thus
grazed while the grass is setting, be-
cause they bite of too many of the
creeping stems and thus prevent the
grass from spreading,
Method "C"-In the light burrows
made between the rows of corn when
ready TO be laid by, drop several pieces
Of the sod one to two feet apart and
cover with a plank leveler, such as may
be run between the rows OF corn.
Method ,'D"-In making new pas
ture where the land is more or less COW
cred with broom sage, sasasafras, etc.
pieces Of sod may be dropped INTO shall
low holes made with hoe and the
earth pressed down with the foot. The
holes should be from three to six fee,
apart. The closer they are the more
-apidly will the grass get possession OF
he land. Help the grass along as
much as possible by cutting down the
assafras and other objectionable
growth, or grazing according to condi-
ions and the season of the year. This
method is adapted TO the planting Of |
arge areas Of run down land when il
5 desired to change them into pastures
1 a minimum expenditure OF labor.
Hay-Bermuda grass should be cut I
or hay just before the tops break out,
because after the plant blossoms the
over leaves fall of aud the upper por-
ion dries. The grass should be cured
be same day that it is moved, On ac-
cunt of the iineness Of the grass it is
ecessary TO use fine fork for hand
ng il.
Improving by Cultivation and Ferti-
zer-After four or five seasons Ber-
luda grass may become so thickly sod
ound as to hinder further growth. /
hen it is advisable to revive the
lants by narrowing with drag or
'ller to smooth the surface. An occa-
Ional tearing up of the pasture will