72 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



to cold, or growth would not continue during spring fi-osts. 

 The presence of a large proportion of this grass will, by the 

 shelter it affords to other varieties, make an early pasture, and 

 for this reason it is of especial service to the grazier, to whom 

 half a ton of feed at the end of March or the beginning of 

 April is of more importance than a ton in May. 



For lawns, Smooth-stalked Meadow Grass may be 

 freely sown, as it is strictly perennial, and forms a fine 

 compact turf. 



In the West of Ireland, where this grass grows all the 

 year round, it should be largely used ; and, as one of the most 

 suitable grasses for fogging, it should be serviceable in Wales. 

 For railway embankments or other situations on which a rapid 

 matting turf is wanted for holding the soil together, there is 

 no more valuable plant. 



In the United States, where Poa pratensis is known under 

 the name of Kentucky Blue Grass, or June Grass, it has been 

 cultivated with striking success. When once established 

 as a pasture the value of the land is immediately enhanced. 

 Americans grow it on their richest soil, and are surprised that 

 we use the plant so little and never sow it alone. In some 

 parts of New Zealand this gi-ass has developed a very 

 objectionable habit of growth. It overruns pastures, and is 

 difficult to eradicate from arable land when once it has 

 obtained a footing. This fact does not prove the worthless- 

 ness of the grass for British use. The case is analogous to 

 that of our famihar Sweetbriar, which since its introduction 

 into Tasmania forms thickets in that country, entangling 

 and overpowering other vegetation, throwing underground 

 suckers across fields, and matting the soil with a dense mass of 

 fibre. But we are not on that account inclined to sacrifice the 

 charming bush of our gardens and hedgerows. Neither the 

 merits of Poa pixitenm when cultivated in America, nor its 

 demerits when sown in certain districts of New Zealand, 

 however interesting they may be, need influence our estimate 



