Pro gr-zss lieport Series No. 
June 1944
AGRICU LTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
of The Alabama Polytechnic Institute 
Auburn, Ala.
M. J. Funchess, Diredor
SPEIIDZA SERICiA FOR THE TENMSS VALIXY,
.FRED STEl*T, Superintendent
Tennessee Valley Substation
Lespede-za sericea-, when- properly handled, has proved to b ea vabialile
perennial legume hay crop, It comes from the croim e.' ohye ad, there-
fore, does not have;to be reseeded'as in the case ofannual varieties of
lespedeza, such as commoon, 4obe, and Korean. It wlVoduce'2 to 3.tons
of hay7 per acre over a period of several vears. Anrea-at the Tennssee
Valley Substation grew sericea for 10 years and yielded 3 tons of hay per
acre. Also at this Substation yields of 200 to 800 pounds of clean seed
per acre have been obtained from areas that were not cut for hay.
Soils
tObservtions ndicate that i is adapted to' a wide range of oil types-
suchas heavy cly, lighrt sandy,low dam, or wel The area
selected for' platting in sericea amust befree of stmps and arge rocks
and it should be level enoilc:i-I to "Oerit mowi4ng the plants close to the ground.
Land of nedium fertility th1at is as free of weeds and-grass as ocsibReshould
be selected. Cottonis one of the est crops to follow with se:K ec
Seedbe Prepfaration and 
Fertilization
The seedbed is thproughly prepared far enough in advance- for it to
become f irm bef ore seeding. If available a heavy roller or cults a.-*,.)cker can
be used to advantage in. mlveri zing. the clods and f iminrg the seedbed. 'After
breaking the land, 50C0 1_);unds of 18 per cent superT)1h.osohate and 200 pounds'
of muriate of potash per acr'e are broadcast and disked into the soil.
seednr
Formerly Mimneograph Series; reprinted September 1948
Care the First Year
Since sericea plants grow slowly the first year, the grower is likely
to be disappointed, because there is a larger growth of weeds and grass than
of sericea. The sericea should not be cut the first year. Sometime during
the winter or early spring, the dead grass an weeds are removed from the
ground in order to have it clean for the second year. If a good stand is
obtained, the sericea will outgrow the weeds and grass the second year.
Care the Second Lear
Sericea is cut for hay usually in Iay, when the plants reach a height
of 12 to 15 inches. After the first cutting -it should be allowed to make a
seed crop, which maybe harvested after frost. After the second year, it
may be cut twice a year for hay, usually in ay and in July. It should
never be cut over twice a year.
Cutting and Curing -Hay
Under favorable conditions sericea cures quickly. Therefore, to get
the best quality hay, it should be handled rapidly. It should be mowed as
soon as the dew is off the plants in the imorning, raked into windrows within
an hour after cutting, and stored in the barn the same afternoon if the
weather is favorable. It can be baled, in the fieldl, if it is left until the
afternoon of the second day. If saved according to these methods, sericea
will make a very satisfactory hay.
Harvestina
Usually the seed are not ready to harvest until the first killing frost.
To prevent shattering, the seed are harvested irimediately after frost. They
may be harvested by cutting early in the morning. (before the dew is off),
and innediately raked and piled into small cocks. .'When the straw is dry,
the seed are removed by threshing or by beating out on a wire frame over the
wagon box. A combine will cut and thresh the seed very satisfactorily. The
seed are hulled and scarified after they are thoroughly cured.
Soil Irovement
Sericea is a valuable crop for soil building. Land that has grown
sericea for several years has been found to make large yields of corn and
other crops. The increase in fertility acquired during the time the land
is in sericea will last for several years.