Pastures for Florida


 quirements, but does not survive in flooded soils. It makes good
 growth on drouthy soils when properly managed.
 This grass was distributed to farmers many years ago but
 was killed out because it was grazed too heavily and not fertilized
 properly, and be-
 cause it was sus-
 ceptible to eye-
 spot disease
 (Helminthospor-
 ium ocellum
 Faris). Eyespot
 disease resistant
 varieties have
 b e e n developed
 and distributed in
 small quantities
 to farmers since
 1938.
 Centipede grass
 (Eremochloa
 ophiuroides
 (Munro) Hack.)
 grass is a rapidly
 spreading, quick
 sodding, low
 growing peren-
 nial (Fig. 33).
 The thick, short- \
 jointed, leafy
 runners which
 t dil fFIG. 31.-VASEY GRASS.
 root readily form It resembles Dallis but is more erect and robust.
 a dense sod. Dur- The seedstalks have more branches. The seed are
 ing summer it smaller and more hairy than those of Dallis.
 develops numerous spike-like seedstalks without branches. Most
 of the florets are sterile but many good seed are produced.
 Cattle carry and distribute seed readily through droppings.
 This grass may be established by planting runners 6 to 8
 inches apart in rows spaced 12 to 18 inches or pieces of sod may
 be planted 1 to 8 feet apart. The widely spaced plantings require
 more time to produce sod.
 Since it is aggressive, often crowding out more desirable
.grasses. is difficult to eradicate and in many instances has given