BERMUDAGRASS 135 



Canada Bluegrass. — Canada bluegrass {Poa compressa) is 

 known also as English bluegrass, flatstem bluegrass, and Virginia 

 bluegrass. It is a perennial and in appearance closely resembles 

 Kentucky bluegrass (P. pralensis), from which it differs in its 

 lower stature, bluer foHage, flatter stems, and narrower panicles. 



Canada bluegrass is a native of Europe, and was among the 

 first of the grasses to be introduced into North America. It is 

 well adapted to cool climates and is especially suited to poor, dry 

 soils, as well as to those of low lime content. The plant is 

 increasing in abundance in the West, but it is much more impor- 

 tant in the eastern part of the United States and in Canada. 



Although Canada bluegrass is less productive than Kentucky 

 bluegrass, it enjoys an excellent reputation in most quarters as 

 a pasture plant for dairy stock. Scribner^ says it is an ideal 

 species for this purpose. It is particularly valuable in the 

 Northeastern States and Canada, but is not a heavy yielder. 

 Remarkably good stands are found on exposed hillsides and 

 knolls where the species produces more heavily than almost any 

 other cultivated grass. When planted for hay or pasture the 

 seed should be scattered with that of other grasses. Canada 

 bluegrass is unusually persistent once it is well estabhshed. 

 From 5 to 10 pounds of seed to the acre in a mixture is usually 

 sufficient to insure a good stand. It is not generally wise to seed 

 Canada bluegrass where Kentucky bluegrass grows well, but on 

 poor soils it possesses unusual merit. For artificial reseeding 

 of depleted mountain range lands, Canada bluegrass appears 

 to have considerable value. The seed is usually less expensive 

 than that of Kentucky bluegrass, and hence it is not uncommonly 

 used as an adulterant. The seeds of these species are readily 

 distinguished only by a seed expert. 



Bermudagrass. — Bermudagrass (Capriola Dactylon) is a native 

 of India and the Mediterranean region. It is thought to have 

 been introduced into this country from Europe about 1800. It 

 may now be called the most important pasture grass throughout 

 the southern half of the United States, where it holds much the 



^ Scribner, F. Lamson-, "Useful and Economic Grasses." U. S. Dept. of 

 Agr., Div. of Agrost., Bui. 3, pp. 78, 79, 1896. 



