44 The Grnssea. [Jan., 



southern states are naturally deficient in good perennial pastun 

 grasses, it certainly is highly deserving the attention of the south- 

 ern planter. Nor is there the least doubt but that its successful 

 cultivation there would save the inhabitants much corn fodder, 

 which is the chief food for both their cattle and horses among the 

 planters of the cotton growing region. This grass with the pre- 

 ceding, and perhaps one or two others (which will be mentioned 

 in due time,) would afford abundant pasturage during their mild 

 winters. 



In the northern and western states it excels most grasses for its 

 abundant and nourishing pasturage, which has the merit of being 

 both early and late. Even now, in December, in western New 

 York, from our window we can see good pasture composed chiefly 

 of this grass. With us it has become completely naturalized, 

 and it seems unnecessary to sow its seed, which from its early time 

 of ripening in both our pastures and meadows, is often scattered 

 upon the ground. It should be cut for hay when in flower, as 

 when 1 ipe the stalk becomes dry, and contains little nutriment. It 

 flowers about the same period as clover, and hence with orchard 

 grass and clover it would make excellent hay. Sending up but 

 one flower stalk during the year, its aftermath consists of nume- 

 rous long deep green leaves which sometimes attain the length of 

 two feet. It flourishes best on calcareous soils, and here, western 

 New Yoik, grows both in open woods as well as pastures, flow- 

 eiing from the middle of June to the first of July. As it varies in 

 appearance from the nature of the soil, some botanists have made 

 an additional species, by the name of viridis, which is now gene- 

 rally considered to be a mere variety. Our specimens from Ken- 

 tucky, and various parts of the United States, differ little from the 

 plant as found here. The following mode of its cultivation in 

 Kentucky, is condensed from the Franklin Farmer. " Some sow 

 in September, others in February or March, that the tender roots 

 may not be winter killed. It is sown either on woodland or open 

 ground. If sown on woodland, the leaves, brush, and trash might 

 be burnt or raked off. In woodlands the grass must not be grazed, 

 or at all events till after the seeds have matured. 



In open land some mix timothy and clover with blue grass, 

 when half a bushel of the latter seed to the acre is sufficient. The 

 advantage of this is that it secuies at once a pasture which will 

 bear considerable grazing the first year. The blue grass in a few 

 years takes entire possession of the field. It is often sown in March 

 upon wheat, rye, and oats. The grass or open ground is more 

 abundant, sweet, and nutritious, than on woodland, and conse- 

 quently will maintain more stock, perhaps nearly twice as much." 

 We may add that this is true with all cultivated grasses. The 

 " Blue Grass " of New York is Poa compressa. . In our plate of 

 the grasses, magnified views of both flower and fruit are given. 



