PERENNIAL FORAGE GRASSES 77 



grass with wheat or rye in the fall and subsequently harvesting 

 for grain. It has been shown that Kentucky blue grass seeds 

 germinate better if the temperature during a portion of each 

 24 hours drops as low as 40 F. For this reason, probably fall 

 seeding is especially desirable. The author has had several years' 

 experience in seeding large lawn areas. The best results he 

 ever obtained were in seeding heavily with Kentucky blue grass 

 about November first on the fortieth parallel. For lawn pur- 

 poses at least 40 pounds of 50 per cent, viable seed of Kentucky 

 blue grass should be used alone or with white clover, and with- 

 out nurse crop, if the best lawn in the shortest space of time 

 is desired. If greater economy of seeding is required, a 

 mixture of 20 pounds of Kentucky blue grass seed and 10 

 pounds of timothy may be used. 



75. Adaptation. Kentucky blue grass is probably an introduced 

 species. It pretty certainly was introduced into the North Central 

 states by the pioneers, where at the time of its introduction 

 it was looked upon as a dangerous weed. As a cultivated grass, 

 it occupies about the same range in the United States as timothy 

 and red clover. Within this area the relative importance and 

 adaptability of these species vary somewhat. Speaking gen- 

 erally, Kentucky blue grass reaches its best development on 

 fairly well-drained soils between the Allegheny Mountains and 

 the Mississippi River. It does not make good pastures in the non- 

 glaciated region except on limestone soils, such as Hagerstown 

 loam, which constitutes the blue grass region of Kentucky, from 

 which the grass takes its name. In common with other grasses, 

 Kentucky blue grass succeeds better on clay than on sandy soils 

 and in moist rather than dry climates. It will not do its best, 

 however, on heavy, undrained clays where timothy thrives. 

 For its best development the soil should be fertile. Its shallow 

 roots cause it to be easily affected by drought, and in the 

 southern border of its range shade is helpful. Indeed it is 

 distinctly adapted to open woodlands. 



