The Lakeland evening telegram., 1913-12-26


clay, but, of course, like any other
crop, the yield will be greater in
proportion to the richness of soil in
which it is grown.
For soil improver Kudzu has the
same qualities as other legumes,
drawing in nitrogen from the air
and storing it in the soil, and, in ad-
dition, it has other specific advan-
tages. Its dense growth of vines
protects the soil from erosion by
rains and from baking by the heat
OF the sun, it's decaying leaves and
vines add humus Over evaporation !
is impcded, and its deep roofing sys-
TEN draws up potash and phosphoric
acid from the subsoil. In this way
soil planted to Kudzu becomes richer /
every year, instead Of being impov-
erished, as is the case when grow
ing grasses for hay. The deep roots
live to a great age and they become
stronger and more vigorous in each
succeeding year. Consequently in !
growing kudzu after the first year
your fertilizer account can be cut !
out. 1t is advisable, however, to
use some fertilizer on the first plant
ing, so as to insure good start and
rapid growth from the commence
ment.
Drouth does not affect kudzu once
| it has started its growth. The roots
are of such deep penetrating char
acter they will seek out and obtain
moisture at almost any depth, and
if would be veritable Sahara if a
Kudzu crop failed for lack of mois
ture.
The Kudzu it is claimed by some
authorities, neither blooms nor bears
seed. For this reason and owing 10
it's drouth- resisting powers, the vines
remain green and growing during
the entire season, from spring to fall,
and through the winter, il no frost
occurs. This gives an immense al
vantage over any other hay crop, as
hay can be cut from the kudzu vine
at any time when convenient, when
weather conditions are suitable fOr
! curing, nor does Kudzu become In
iurcd as other hay crops are llaple
to when waiting for GOOD weather.
one planting of Kudzu is perraa-
nent and the yield of both pastur-
age and hav increases with the age
of the plant as the ground more
thickly set with plants taking root
from the Joints of the vines. X udzu
is thus propagated by means of these
rootlots at the joints. They should
he planted nbout eight feet cach
way. The ground should be well pre-
pared, deeply plowed and well mar
rowcd, and then laid off in checks
eight feet apart. At the intersection
of each check lay the plants SO that
the tan roots are at the bottom OF the
furrow, with the crowns slanting up
wards to within a couple or lnchcs
OF the surface, covering lightly Win
loose earth to the surface level. IL
will take $50 plants to cover an acre
Give them level cultivation during
the first season, after that there will
be no further need of It, ltsgrOWth
is so rapid and It covers the ground
80 completely, all weeds and obnoX'
ious grasses are quickly chOkcd out
Kudzu can be eradicateG, IL de-
sired. just as easily as it can be pro-
pagated. Plants only start from the
crowns at the joints of the vines,
and disc harrow deeply set or a
disc plOW run over the ground on a
hot, dry day will cut up these crowns
and quickly kill them.
KudZu Is free from insect enemies
and from diseases Farmers have
| long been waiting for such a plant
| as KudZu with its ease Of propaga
| tion and cultivation, its immense
! yield Of fodder, and its adaptability
! to so many farm purposes, and it is
! undoubtedly in the foremost rank
| both as a forage and leguminous
| plant Florida Grower