210 



A new bed of the variegated form made a most luxuriant growth; but is not so tall 

 as the type. 



mm m 



rig. 16. 



Poa compressa. L. (Canada Blue Grass), Fig. 1*7. This grass is also known as 

 "Wire Grass." Half of this bed was planted from roots collected wild ; theotherhalf 

 from seeds sold wrongly named by one of our seedsmen as Poanemoralis. Both made 

 avigorous and rich growth. Planted in 1890. A fine succulent growth of young shoots 

 by 30th May; speared 8th June ; flowered 24th June; height 18 inches. 7th July 

 height 24 inches, and very even. Half of this bed, cut 5th August, gave 66 lbs. of 

 grass to the square rod. Seed collected from the other half ripe 26th August. The 

 new growth had begun again 5th Septembei-. This is rather a small species, some- 

 what resembling June Grass; but it is easily distinguished by its flat and more 

 numerous stems and their green colour, even when the seed is ripe and has fallen off. 

 It is very hardy, and will thrive in almost any soil, and as it will withstand the effects 

 of drought it is particularly suited for rocky pastures. It flowers about 1st July; 

 the stems remain green a long time, and it makes good hay even when the seeds are 

 ripe ; when fed green, our cattle picked it out in preference to all other kinds. 



True, June Grass (Foapratensis), which is the same thing exactly as Kentucky 

 Blue Grass, is well shown at Fig. 18. It is not as a rule so highly valued by farmers 

 as it deserves. This, perhaps, may be due to the fact that itcs chief value is in its 

 leaves, which, although freely produced from early spring till late in the autumn, 

 are not alwaj^s i-ecognized as belonging to the weak flowering stems recognized by 

 all fiarmers as June Grass. There are also various forms, some much better agri- 

 culturally than others. On the whole, this is the most valuable pasture grass in 



