36 



GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 



tion of the turf. It varies very 

 much in size and appearance 

 according to the soil on which 

 it grows. In Kentucky it is 

 universally known as Blue 

 grass, and elsewhere frequent- 

 ly called Kentucky blue grass, 

 and still more frequently, June 

 grass. It has been called by 

 some, without much reason, 

 the most valuable of all the 

 grasses in our pastures. It 

 comes into the soil in some 

 parts of the country when left 

 to itself, and grows luxuriantly 

 on soils best suited to it, and 

 is relished by all cattle. Its 

 creeping root is said by some 

 to impoverish the soil. Wher- 

 ever it is intended for hay it is 

 cut at the time of flowering, 

 as if the seed is allowed to 

 ripen, more than 

 a fourth part of 

 the crop is lost. 

 In its earliness, 

 it is equalled by 

 some of the other 

 grasses, and in its 

 nutritive constit- 

 uents by several. 

 After being cut 

 in summer it starts up slowly. 



Fig. 24. June Grass. 



Low says : " It is inferior to the 



rough stalked meadow grass, and it may be questioned whether 

 it deserves to be reckoned among the superior pasture grasses." 

 It produces but one flowering stem in a year, while many of 

 the other grasses continue to shoot up flower stalks, and run to 

 seed through the season. On this account it is recommended 

 highly for lawns, where uniformity is desired. The produce 

 ordinarily is small, compared with other grasses, but the herb- 



