MEADOWS AND PASTURES 185 



well adapted to growth in rotation with other crops. The 

 first two crops are better than the later ones, unless the 

 land is rich or is made so by fertilizers. It thrives best in 

 a good soil with a good rainfall. It is primarily a hay 

 plant, but, since the seed is cheap and since it produces 

 a fair crop the first year, it is used in nearly all pasture 

 mixtures. In permanent pastures it is usually displaced 

 by other grasses in a few years. The seed weighs 45 

 pounds per bushel. About 10 to 15 pounds is sown per acre. 

 172. Kentucky Blue-Grass (Poa pratensis). The most 

 important pasture grass in America is Kentucky blue- 

 grass. It is of little value as a hay plant. It grows 



Fio. 92. Kentucky blue-grass, grown from a single seed. Strongly 

 stolonifp rous. Compare with Fig. 91 



throughout the timothy region, but reaches its best de- 

 velopment a little south of the best timothy section. 

 It is very strongly stoloniferous (page 38) and will run 

 out most other plants on good soils. It takes two to three 

 years for it to reach full development, hence ii is seldom 

 sown alone. It is an early grass, starting growth early 

 and heading out early. It also grows well in the fall. 



