Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1922-03-09
THE PROFITABLENESS
OF THE KUDZU VINE
By George D. Coleman


vine is so slow in being introduced
among Southern farmers. 1t will grow
in any soil, but sandy loan is seems
to prefer. A soil that is so poor that
wire and sage grass are the only things
that it will naturally produce, will grow
Kudzu, although, very naturally, it
does better in a good soil. But, It
planted in the poorest soil and allowed
to grow it will soon enrich the soil
as it is a nitrogen-gatherer.
One reason why Vernon Parish is
to be congratulated, is that it has the
LIano Colony in its midst, and they are
now putting in some 1000 Kudzu roots
and will put in more later; they will
grow plenty of roots to extend it on
the lands of the Colony, and soon the
farmers can buy the well-grown roots
snd load them into their own wagons
and not have the expensive freight to
pay. The mature roots carry their own
bacteria and there is no need to moe
ulate the soil, for the Kudzu will breed
and spread the bacteria. However, if,
under each root, forkful of manure is.
put, it will grow faster and better and
will make about six months difference
in results attained; for it gives the;
plant start. Kudzu is betted relished
by all stock than is alfalfa, and is ev-
en- richer in protein or nitrogen con-
tent. Hogs, chickens, and cattle all
eat it and once established it will re-
main either as permanent pasturage or
10 make hay. Whenever the time ar
rives when you want to put the land
into corn, cotton, or any other crop, all
that needs to be done is to plow it un-
der and cultivate the land and use the
Kudzu as you would a weed, and he.
will retire from business. The vine
spreads from the root with bacteria on
it and forms roots at the joints, and
when we'll spread can be harvested as,
hay of the very best quality. IF well
introduced in Vernon Parish it would
add fertility to the soil in the form Of
nitrogen land, shading the ground, it
would keep the soil moist like mulch.
besides adding an appreciate quanti--
ty of humus. Of course, it cannot
supply the lime or the phosphates, or
the potash that the soils need, but a.
little ground limestone or ground phos-
phate rock will add much to the luxur-
lance of its growth. Soils are like live.
stock-they cannot thrive without food
and these are the plant and animal
foods needed in any soil. Still there.
is no single crop that will benefit these
soils SO much as will Kudzu, for alfalfa
and clover will not grow on sour soils
nor on soils deficient in lime and phos-.
pilates; but in the Kudzu plant we:
have something that will grow in these.
soils and add to their fertility. But,
of course, even the Kudzu will grow
more luxuriantly when lime and phos-
pilates are added. As farmers can on
ly be taught by actual demonstrations.
Vernon Parish is fortunate in having
in its midst the Llano Colony, as its
management is open-minded and will
try out things new to this locality, and
later will prove a demonstration or exl
pertinent station and show what can
be done. Later, when results show the.
farming community of this Parish how
they can raise better stock and better
crops, self-interest will overcome the.
present prejudice and lead to the in
PRODUCTION of new plants, new methods
and new ideas-and new prosperity.
Even in Florida, where sand has to be
accepted as soil, the Kudzu vine has.
enabled those who have adopted it to
raise better stock and make the "soil''
tar more productive. About the time
the farmers of this Parish are convinc-
ed of the value of the Kudzu plant, the
Llano Colony may have matured roots
Tor sale and a reasonable price will be-
fixed upon them. From what | know
OF the plans and purposes of the COL
ony, my advice to the farmers around
here is to keep an eye on it, and bene-
TIT by the Improvements that will be in
troduced The Lumber companies are
one by one retiring from this section
and they have put into circulation a
great deal of money. and as this ceas-
es and is Withdrawn. there will be hard,
er times for the farmers unless thew
improve their agriculture and raise t
above It's present standard and make
manure keep more and better stock,
and begin to feed it and the soil
Watch the Llano Colony, and trv
to learn new idea; for without the
introduction of new ideas, there can
be no progress nor prosperity. and mo-