298 



FIELD CROPS 



in the appearance of the two grasses are that the stems of 

 Kentucky blue grass are round, while those of Canada blue 

 grass are flattened or compressed; the leaves of the latter 

 are shorter and less numerous, and the panicles are less 

 spreading. Other related grasses are wood meadow grass, 

 Poa nemoralis, and fowl meadow grass, Poaflava. Neither 



of these is of much im- 

 portance, though they 

 are grown to some extent 

 in limited areas. 



382. Importance. In 

 the region from Virginia 

 north to the Canadian 

 border and west to east- 

 ern Kansas and Nebras- 

 ka, Kentucky blue grass 

 is the most important 

 pasture grass. It is of 

 particular value in this 

 region wherever there is 

 a noticeable quantity of 

 lime in the soil, as this 

 element seems specially necessary for its best growth. In the 

 mountain valleys of Virginia and West Virginia, and quite 

 generally over much of Kentucky, this grass thrives as 

 nowhere else, though in the limestone regions of other 

 states it makes a very vigorous, nutritious growth. With 

 white clover, it makes up a very large part of our pastures. 

 It is sown comparatively little, but seeds itself in old meadows 

 and pastures, gradually replacing the shorter-lived grasses. 

 It is also the most important lawn grass over this area. 



383. Soils and Fertilizers. Though Kentucky blue grass 

 grows best on Ume soils, it will thrive on well-drained loam 

 and loamy clay soils of the region mentioned. It will 

 not grow on as heavy clay soils as timothy or red top, nor 



Figure 102. — Seeds of (o) Kentucky blue 

 grass; and (h) Canada blue grass. The 

 Kentucky blue grass seeds are broadest 

 in the center and pointed; the Canada 

 blue grass seeds are broadest at one end 

 and blunt. 



