164 THE GRASSES OF TENNESSEE. 



erect. The plant is of alight-green color, the spikelets often varie- 

 gated with a purplish brown color. Flowers in June and July. In 

 addition to the name of Blue Grass it also in certain localities takes 

 the names of June Grass, Common Spear Grass, Green Meadow Grass, 

 Kentucky Blue Grass. 



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 auxiliary 

 to this. It is valuable, both for sum- 

 mer 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 start- 

 ed, 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. "Who- 

 ever has blue grass has the basis for 

 all agricultural prosperity; 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 proba- 

 bly 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 dryest months, all the year. It varies in size in dif- 



