^RHAL, 



PERENNIAL FORAGE GRASSES 73 



in question. Cattle are said to be fattened for export on these 

 Canada blue grass pastures at the rate of one steer to 3.5 acres. 

 Of wood meadow grass, Lawson says: "There is no grass 

 better adapted for pleasure grounds, particularly under trees, 

 as it will not only grow in such places, but forms a fine sward 

 where few other fine grasses can exist." Fowl meadow grass 

 blooms about the same time as redtop, which together with its 

 purplish inflorescence has given it the name of false redtop. 

 Spikelets are two to four-flowered, which serve to distinguish 

 from redtop whose spikelets are one-flowered. The time of 

 blooming and the smaller and less numerous spikelets with 

 purplish tinge serve to distinguish it from Kentucky blue grass. 

 The Vermont Station says: "It (fowl meadow grass) is one of 

 the most valuable of our native grasses, being especially adapted 

 to wet, overflowed intervale land where the usual hay grasses 

 and clovers are liable to be killed by standing water. Redtop 

 and alsike clover are capable of enduring a wetter soil than 

 timothy and red clover, but fowl meadow will thrive best in 

 soil where even redtop and. alsike soon kill out. There are 

 many acres in Vermont now occupied by sedges and rushes 

 where fowl meadow grass would grow well if introduced. 

 Seedsmen do not carry good seed of this grass, but it may 

 easily be harvested from the native grass in almost any town 

 in Vermont, providing one knows the grass when he sees it." * 

 This station further suggests that, if land is liable to have water 

 standing on it long in the spring, the following mixture of seeds 

 be sown : timothy 6 ; redtop 6 ; alsike clover 6 pounds ; and fowl 

 meadow grass 0.5 to i bushel. 



72. Description. Kentucky blue grass has a strongly stolon- 

 iferous habit, making an even although less strong sod than 

 redtop. The rhizomes are not easily eradicated, making it a 

 grass of good duration. Its roots do not penetrate deeply- 



1 Vermont Sta. Bui. No. 94, p. 151. 



