GR\SSE3 OF IOWA. 329^ 



New England, where probably it was largely self-sown. In 

 the west it was contemporaneous with the settlement of the- 

 country. Bluegrass is the pasture grass par excellence in 

 Iowa. The excellence of Iowa stock is largely due to the fine 

 bluegrass pastures. Bluegrass come 5 on early in the season 

 and during the latter part of May and early in June is ready ta 

 bloom In order to get the full advantage of bluegrass as a 

 pasture grass it should not be allowed to seed, as that takes 

 away much of the valuable nutritious qualities contained in the 

 grass. In this state bluegrass is seldom used for meadow pur- 

 poses, but in parts of Wisconsin, especially the western part,. 

 it is frequently used for this purpose. When used for meadow 

 purposes it should be cut early, and especially when the mead- 

 ows are moist, this grass may then be cut a second time. On 

 an irrigated field of my father's farm in western Wisconsin 

 bluegrass has been cut three times. I know of no other grass 

 which makes such valuable fodder as bluegrass, especially 

 when mixed with a strall amount of clover and cut early. 

 Cattle are very fond of it, and it makes an excellent grass for 

 dairy purposes. Although bluegrass may not be a good pas- 

 ture grass during the latter part of July and August, yet it has 

 many commendable features, even though the pastures may 

 look dry and bare. The small leaves are highly nutritious and 

 in many cases cattle apparently thrive and grow fat on pas- 

 tures that seem to contain but little. This was especially 

 noticeable in 1894, when the season was remarkably drouthy 

 over a large section of the state. In many cases where pas- 

 tures were not cropped too close, horses and cattle fattened. 



After the fall rains, during the latter part of August and 

 early September, bluegrass continues to grow rapidly. The 

 brown pastures of August again take on a green look, since the 

 cool nights and sufficient moisture are favorable for its rapid 

 growth. Catt'e may therefore feed on it until cold sets in. 

 Many Iowa farmers are familiar with the value of bluegrass as 

 a winter pasture grass. Hundre5s of acres are utilized in this 

 way. A considerable amount of forage is obtained for cit*le 

 and horses during open winters. Chemical analyses show that, 

 the brown and sere grass leaves are not without their nutrient 

 value, and we cannot pass the subject of bluegrass without 

 sayiog something of its us a in the central and southern part of 

 the state as a winter forage plant. When speaking of winter 

 pasturage in Iowa, the farmer refers to bluegrass. It is a well 



