54 



Even upon some of the foot hills of the mountains, as well as in the val- 

 leys, thick blue grass sod is often met with. Among the limestone hog- 

 back ridges in that region, and especially in Southwestern Virginia, are 

 found some of the best, blue grass pastures of the South. Blue grass 

 may be successfully grown upon the more fertile lands of the highland 

 rim, particularly in those localities where the St. Louis limestone abounds. 

 A singular fact in connection with the heavy clay soils of Montgomery, 

 Robertson and Stewart counties deserves mention. When the lands are 

 first opened to cultivation; the soils seem adapted to the growth of blue 

 grass. Tramping however, soon destroys it. After being in cultivation 

 for a few years so as to destroy a large part of the original humus, it 

 seems to reach a condition, a second time, favorable for the growth of 

 blue grass. All old fields thrown out of cultivation in these counties 

 soon show considerable areas covered with blue grass. In the digging of 

 an ice house many years ago on the writer's farm, the red clay was 

 thrown out and a mound made of it around the superstructure. Blue 

 grass after a few years appeared and is now growing in vigor upon this 

 clay. The presence of locust and walnut trees always induces a growth 

 of blue grass on any soil clear of underbrush. West Tennessee has some 

 blue grass lands in the tier of northern counties where limy concretions 

 abound in the soils. It is also successfully grown in the yards in many 

 other parts of that division of the state. 



Good blue grass pastures, however, are rare in Tennessee outside of 

 the central basin. The best soil for its growth is strongly impregnated 

 with the carbonate and phosphate of lime, potash, alumina, ferric oxides 

 as indicated by the reddish color of the soil, all associated with a large 

 content of humus. Commingled with the soil are small angular pieces 

 of limestone gravel to the extent of twelve or fifteen per cent. The 

 alumina in such soils varies from 15 to 30 per cent., though the subsoil is 

 often porous. Blue grass sown on such soils is benefited by being tramped 

 The foundation of all these soils is a soft calcareous limestone belonging 

 to the Trenton period. 



Blue grass is not so highly prized for pastures in England as it is in 

 the United States. Doubtless its nutritious qualities are there impaired 

 by the extreme humidity of the climate, notwithstanding Mr. Sole, of 

 England, calls it "the most noble of all the grasses for agriculture." It 

 produces nearly all its flowery stems at once and when the seed ripens 

 and the stalks decay a wealth of blades spring up and falls over in great 

 folds which furnishes an immense amount of grazing. Its aftermath is 

 more valuable than its first growth. Blue grass is rarely injured by cold 

 weather, by close grazing or by the tramping of stock. It bears a 

 drought heroically. Though it may look brown and sere after a long 

 dry summer, the first autumnal rains will start it afresh and in a few 

 days its beautiful leaves will clothe the earth with a rich mantle of 

 verdure. 



Blue grass requires three or four years to become well established. It 

 should be grazed but lightly during this period. After it has grown into 

 a good thick sod close grazing will not hurt it. When eaten down to 

 the ground in favorable weather it will reproduce itself in a few days. 



