226 CROP PRODUCTION 



made in establishing numerous varieties for special 

 purposes. 



Blue-grass and Red Top 



While Timothy as now grown is preeminently a hay 

 plant and only secondarily a pasture grass the reverse 

 is true of Kentucky Blue-grass {Poa pratensis), famous 

 the world over as the best basis for a productive pasture. 

 It is early and succulent and continues growth well 

 through the season, though likely to be checked during 

 the hot dry months of summer. It is especially valu- 

 able for pastures because of the way it spreads out from 

 a single plant, being strongly stoloniferous. In conse- 

 quence it takes possession of the soil and crowds out 

 weaker plants. 



As a meadow grass Red Top {Agrostis alba) ranks 

 next to Timothy and on wet or sour soils it is to be 

 preferred to it. It gives a good crop of hay the season 

 after sowdng and will thrive under conditions in which 

 Timothy fails. It is strongly stoloniferous and may be 

 used to advantage in seeding down the pasturage. 



Other Grasses 



Orchard Grass, Meadow Fescue, Canada Blue-grass, 

 and Barn-yard Grass or Japanese Millet are also grown 

 more or less in the northern states. In the southern 

 states Bermuda Grass is of especial value for pastures 

 and Johnson Grass for hay. The latter has the same 

 rooting habits as Witch Grass and so is very difficult to 

 eradicate when once estabHshed. Consequently it can- 

 not be used to advantage in a system of crop rotation. 



Meadows and pastures of long standing become sod 



