94 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



would be present that in some soils at least, drill ma- 

 chines would cover the seed too deeply. When sown 

 in mixtures, it is common to mix the blue grass seeds 

 along with the seeds of other grasses before these are 

 sown. It is usually covered with a light harrow, since, 

 as previously intimated, a deep covering for this grass 

 is not necessary, although the proper depth at which 

 to cover it will vary with conditions. On soils which 

 incline to cloddiness, the roller will in many instances 

 provide a sufficient covering, but on such soils it ought 

 not to be covered thus, unless the harrow is made to 

 follow the roller. 



In very many instances, blue grass is sown with a 

 nurse crop. The exceptions include lands more or less 

 deforested, rugged lands difficult of tillage and by- 

 places generally. Even when sown to provide perma- 

 nent pasture, it is frequently sown thus, but to this 

 ihere are some exceptions also, especially in areas the 

 most favorable to its growth. In northern areas, win- 

 ter rye is probably the best nurse crop with which to sow 

 it, and chiefly for the reason that it may be sown on the 

 rye in the early autumn Vv'hich is really the best season 

 for sowing it, all things considered, only a moderate 

 seeding of the rye should be used. If the rye is grazed off 

 in the spring, the blue grass will develop more quickly 

 and strongly than if the rye is harvested. In areas 

 with winters sufficiently mild, blue grass may also be 

 so'wn with winter barley and winter oats, also winter 

 wheat. When sown in the spring with a nurse crop 

 that is to mature, spring rye or barley is the most favor- 

 able to the gro^vth of the grass. But if sown with a 



