38 



June Grass, or Kentucky Blue -Grass. 



JUNE GRASS, OR KENTUCKY BLUE-GRASS (/l;« /raZ-ww). 



This common species, one of the best foi 

 lawns, is well known throughout the northern 

 parts of the country. It flourishes remarka- 

 bly in the climate and soil of Kentucky, 

 where it affords a luxuriant winter-forage ; 

 and hence it is often popularly called after 

 that locality. It is desirable either as a 

 pasture or a lawn grass, but not so well 

 %v,_P^L^*^^ adapted to mowing as many other species, 

 because it sends up but one flowering-stock 

 in a year, and that rarely over fifteen inches 

 high ; so that the yield is usually light as 

 ^ compared with many other grasses. As a 

 [^ lawn-grass for forming a thick, soft, and close- 

 ly-matted turf, it is, perhaps, unsurpassed. 



The root of June grass is perennial and 

 creeping ; the stem erect, smooth, and round ; 

 the leaves slightly rough on the edges and 

 inner surface; the panicle spreading, diffuse, 

 and erect. 



June grass grows well in a great variety of 

 soils, varying in its size and luxuriance ac- 

 cording to the quality ; but it does best on 

 a limestone formation. It requires two or 

 three years to attain its perfection, and form 

 a close thick sward ; and will improve even 

 after that. It is not, therefore, well adapted 

 to alternate husbandry, or where land is to 

 come under the plough in the course of a 

 regular rotation. It will do well in partially- 

 shaded locations ; will endure the rigors of a 

 cold winter-climate ; but is easily affected by 

 drought. It starts slowly after a close cut- 



