62 



vation, liavin<;bepn hif;hly recwmmendcd as n piTmanent pasture jxrass. It may 

 1)6 propagated by seeds or "root cuttings," which can be obtained from leading 

 seedsmen. It makes its principal growth during the winter months, coming 

 into bloom in the latter part of April or early in May. It makes a good sod and 

 withstands well the heat of summer and protracted drought. Owing to the wool- 

 liness of the seeds, they are difticult to sow, and as they are rather expensive 

 this grass has not been so extensively propagated as it otherwise would have been. 

 A somewhat troublesome, but more certain, method of propagation is by root 

 cuttings. These may be planted at any time during the lall or early spring 

 months, being set out in rows 2 feet apart and 6 to 10 inches apart in the rows. 

 The retail price of the seed, according to New York catalogues, is .$3 per pound. 

 No. 199. Poa arida Vasey. Ibincli Sjjear-grass. 

 A smooth, upright ])(rennial, 1 to 2 feet high, with rather rigid, 

 sharp pointed leaves, and a close or narrow panicle 2 to 3 

 inches long. This grass is a native of the Rocky Mountain 

 resrion, from the British Possessions southward to Arizona. 

 It has short, creeping rootstocks, and although more rigid 

 than many species of Foa, is one of the most valuable pas- 

 ture grasses of the dry regions of the West. 

 No. 200. Poabuckleyana Nash. Bunch Ked-top. (Fig. 7.5.) 

 Ilather slender, 1 to 2 feet high, with no creeping rootstock, 

 very narrow root leaves, and contracted panicles of usually 

 ]»urplish spikelets. It is a perennial, aiid a native of the 

 Rocky Mountain regions, growing on the lower foothills 

 and in the valleys. It grows in bunches, not forming a 

 turf, and is regarded by the ranchmen as one of the most 

 valuable "bunch grasses'' of the cattle ranges. It has 

 never been introduced into cultivation, but is deserving of 

 attention, for it responds readily to improved conditions, 

 and when growing along streams or in irrigated land 

 makes a luxuriant growth of foliage, and often attains a 

 height of 2 or 3 feet. There are many species of I'oa native 

 to the northern portion of our country, particularly in the 

 Northwest, and all are tender, nutritious pasture grasses. 

 Wherever grasses grow, from the seashore to the highest 

 mountain tops, fron\ one arctic zone to the other, the genus 

 Poa has its representatives. 

 No. 201. Poa coinpressa Linn. Canadian Blue-grass. 

 A slender ]ierennial, with much-flattened stems, 6 to 20 inches 

 higli, and small, narrow jianicles. This grass has exten- 

 sively creeping rootstocks, and forms a strong turf. It is a 

 native (d'hurope, which lias become thoroughly naturalized, 

 and is now very widely distributed over our territory. It is closely related to 

 Kentucky Blue-grass, but it is more decidedly blue in color, and is readily dis- 

 tinguished from that species by its strongly llatteneil stems, lower habit of 

 growth, and smaller panicle. It is the " Blue-grass" of the farmers of the New 

 Kiigland and Middle .States. It will grow upon a great variety of soils, even 

 upon those so poor and thin as to exclude the growth of other grasses. In culti- 

 vated lands it is likely to beccmie troublesome, owing to its creeping rootstocks. 

 There is ix^rhaps no better pasture grass for dry and poor soils, iiarticularly in 

 the Eastern and Middle States. It is especially valuable for dairy pastures; 

 cows feeding on it yield the richest milk and iinost butter. On good land it 

 becomes sufliciently tall for hay. :m<l as it shrinks very little in drying, tlie hay 

 is heavy in i)roportion to its bulk. Seed is advertised by leading lirms at $14 

 per 100 pounds. 



no. 75.— P.imfli Iicd- 

 loj» {J'lia buckliy. 

 ana). 



