47S 



Bulletin 286. 



jf 



% 



other grass plant. It is present to a greater or less extent in more than 

 ninety-five per cent, of our pastures, although not very abundant m 

 old fields. It is a rather deep rooted plant and will 

 live under adverse conditions. It reaches its best w 



development on well-drained clay soils, although M>} 



present in small numbers in undrained areas. Its 

 habit of growth is rather compact. It does not 

 spread after the manner of blue-grass. It reaches 

 maturity quickly and as a consequence it is a desir- 

 able grass to include in a new pasture. It does not 

 produce so large a mass of leaves near the ground 

 as blue-grass. It is very palatable and nutritious. 

 All kinds of live-stock are fond of it. Timothy 

 appears to be fairly permanent but decreases in a 

 permanent pasture where blue-grass thrives. Tim- 

 othy should always form the basis for a pasture 

 seeding either temporary or permanent. It is the 

 cheapest grass seed for New York state. 



Kentucky blue-grass. — This is the most important 

 plant for grazing purposes in this state. It is found 

 to be present in at least three-fourths of New York 

 pastures. It is always present in permanent grass 

 lands which are fairly well drained and in fair condi- 

 tion of fertility. It reaches its most perfect develop- 

 ment in old pastures which have not been abused. 

 It is not prominent in wet lands nor on the higher 

 elevations of southern New York. It is widely 

 spreading in habit and forms a dense sod under 

 favorable conditions. The growth of lower leaves 

 is considerable, although the stem is comparatively 

 slender and short. A serious fault of Kentucky blue- 

 grass is the fact that it grows less rapidly during 



the warmer part of the summer. It comes on again ^^p; ^53- — Canadian 



. blue-grass on the 



in the fall and grows till freezmg weather begins. 



It is a grass which requires three or four years to 



reach maturity, consequently it should never be 



sown alone or in pastures that are to remain 



for less than five years. It should be included in mixtures with more 



quickly growing plants. 



on 



left, Kentucky blue- 

 grass on the right. 

 Notice the sig sag 

 stem of the Canada 

 blue-grass. 



