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 BLUE-GRASS (Poa pratensis.} 



This is the king of pasture grasses 

 in the Central Basin of Tennessee, 

 and on soils suited to its growth it 

 is useless to attempt the cultivation 

 of any other kinds, except as auxil- 

 iary to this. It is valuable both for 

 summer and winter pasturage, and 

 no farmer occupying soils suited to 

 its growth is justifiable in being 

 without it. It is easily started, and 

 the seeds are readily procured, and 

 once started, it is perennial. No 

 amount of pasturing is sufficient to 

 destroy it utterly, and, though eaten 

 until no appearance of it is seen on 

 the ground, with rest for a few days, 

 the earth is again carpeted with its 

 soft green foliage as luxuriantly as 

 ever. " Whoever has blue-grass has 

 the basis for all agricultural pros- 

 perity, and that man, if he has not 

 the finest horses, cattle and sheep, has no one to blame but 

 himself. Others in other circumstances may do well, he 

 can hardly help doing well if he will try." 



Its parentage is claimed by many States, and it is prob- 

 ably indigenous to some of them, though some authors say 

 it was introduced from Europe. Let that be as it may, it 

 grows readily in all parts of the United States north of lati- 

 tude 40, and lower down on suitable soils. It flowers in 

 earliest summer, and gives a rich pasturage, except in the 

 driest months, all the year. It varies in size in different 

 localities, according to soil and climate. From the unex- 

 ampled success its cultivation has met with in Kentucky, it 

 has acquired the name of Kentucky blue-grass. The June 

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