The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-04-07
SUDAN GRASS.
Abbeville, S. c., April 5, 1915.

brought about by the European war,
the farmers of the county are pre-
pairing by a more diversified system
of farming to be in position to COM
bat successfully any unforeseen
crisis that might arise. 1t is very
gratifying to meet with so many
gentlemen over the county who
wish to commence growing some of
the different clovers and especially
the hay grasses. Therefore, it is
for this reason that l desire to call
your attention to a few remarks
relative to the Sudan grass.
Sudan Grass, a member of the
Sorghum family, is an excellent
nay grass for the South, and it is
believed that the introduction of
Sudan grass will prove a most help
full addition to the forage crops of
many sections of the country.
The grass, it is thought will fill
a long felt want in the South, and
in the Central Great Plains it will
soon replare the millets, this is also
true of large area in the East.
Sudan grass, however, does not do
so well in continued cool weather,
such as prevails in nigh attitudes.
On the other hand, humid atmos
phere and continuous heat are like
ly to produce diseases which might
prove injurious to the plant:
Sudan grass is an annual, the
leaves of which are broader and
more numerous than those of John
son grass. 1t is distinguished from
the Johnson grass, to which it is
related, by the absence of root
stocks. This fact necessitates an
nual planting, also prevents Sudan
grass from becoming an obnoxious
weed like its sousin, whirh is the
perennial Johnson grass. When
seeded broadcast or in drills, Su-
dan grass averages from three to
five feet in height and has a stem
little smaller than lead pencil.
When grown in rows and cultivated,
it reaches a height of six to nine
feet; with rather larger stems,
which makes the hay of the culti-
waited crop somewhat coarser and
less desirable than that of the
broadcast crop. Especially is this
true if you are growing hay for the
market.
On account of the lnxuriant
growth, under ordinary circum-
stances, a total yield of one to
eight tons of cured hay could be OBJ
tanned per acre. Like Alfalfa, at
least three cuttings are usual, the
first approximately seventy-five
days after seeding, the second about
forty-five days later, and the third
fifty or ffty-five days later still.
Under very favorable soil and eli
matte conditions in some sections
these intervals can be shortened,
and four cuttings obtained.
Under irrigation enormous yields
have been secured. The grass
grows rapidly and RECEIVERS prompt
ly from cutting. Its chemical
composition is approximately the
same as that of Johnson grass and
Timothy hay. 1t does not make
an admirable pasture, for the
ground is necessarily soft, hence in
jury to the land is unavoidable by
tramping. Its value for food, is
greatest at blossoming time, or
when it is in full bloom.
There is good reason to believe
that it would be excellent for silage,
especially in mixtures with legumes.
This grass is very desirable or
suitable for growing in mixtures
with legumes because its stiff stems
support the vines, and by prevent
ing the mating of the leaves allow
them to cure more quickly.
Sudan grass has been grown sue
cessfully on almost every kind of
soil, but does better on rich loan.
Under extreme conditions of
drought, Sudan grass will do better
than the millets and sorghums, but
further North the yield is not so
favorable under similar drought