GENERAL REMARKS ON FORAGE GRASSES 1 9 



The great pasture grass of the humid region is Ken- 

 tucky bluegrass or June grass as it is called in the more 

 northern states. Under conditions favorable for its 

 growth no other grass can successfully compete with this 

 for pasture. In general it thrives throughout the humid 

 region in fertile soil that is not too wet or that is not 

 acid (see Bluegrass, page 58). Bluegrass finds the most 

 favorable conditions for its growth on the limestone soils 

 of the Ohio and the upper Mississippi Valleys, especially 

 in the famous bluegrass region of Kentucky. By means 

 of its numerous underground creeping stems, it forms a 

 firm sod which tends to occupy the soil completely and 

 thus exclude less desirable plants. The basal foliage 

 which furnishes most of the forage, is proportionately 

 abundant compared with the less succulent flowering 

 stems. It starts its growth early in the spring and con- 

 tinues until late in the fall. The seed is easy to gather, 

 and, if properly handled, should be of good quality and 

 of reasonable price. 



In the irrigated regions of the West, bluegrass may 

 become a troublesome weed in alfalfa fields. Its agres- 

 sive rootstocks enable it to supplant alfalfa, when, from 

 any cause, the latter becomes weakened. As the blue- 

 grass has much less value than alfalfa as a hay, its 

 presence is looked upon with much disfavor. 



Throughout the uplands of the Southern States the 

 warm humid region the most important pasture grass 

 is Bermuda. From Virginia to Florida and west to east- 

 ern Texas, except in the cooler mountain regions, Ber- 

 muda grass surpasses all other plants for pasture. It is 

 nutritious and is relished by stock, and it withstands 



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