172 THE GRASSES OF TENNESSEE. 



Smith county, from Lebanon to Carthage, he will see, on 

 every side, the result of his teachings and example. In 

 order to give point to the foregoing remarks, we will now 

 proceed to treat on the best plan to secure a good stand of 

 Blue Grass, and in doing so, will not be governed only by 

 our own experience, but also by our observation of the suc- 

 cess of others. 



BLUE GRASS LANDS. 



It is generally conceded that the lands most productive 

 of Blue Grass are the calcareous soils. Lime is a natural 

 stimulant to it, and it flourishes best where natural supplies 

 of this salt are found. Go into a pasture that has an occa- 

 sional out-cropping of limestone and the sprigs of grass, 

 surrounding the rock will be found more luxuriant than 

 anywhere else. Our lower silurian formation then, where- 

 ever found, may be safely sown in this grass. The Basin 

 of Middle Tennessee, the mountains and valleys of East 

 Tenneseee, and the black alluvial deposits of the rivers of 

 West Tennessee being supplied with lime from the sources 

 whence the streams flow, are all well suited for this grass. 

 It also grows upon many places amongst the hills of the 

 river, though not so luxuriantly as in the black loams of the 

 silurian and devonian formations. Lime, though a great 

 stimulant to its growth, is not an essential ingredient in the 

 soil. It grows on the sandy hills of Alabama and Georgia, 

 but not so rank as on limestone soils. Blue Grass will always 

 grow well under walnut trees. 



We have in Middle and East Tennessee the same charac- 

 ter of soil that exists in the Blue Grass country of Kentucky, 

 and, owing to our milder climate, can produce a better win- 

 ter pasturage than can be produced in the colder climate of 

 Kentucky. Little land exists in Tennessee but what will 

 produce this grass profitably. 



Select the lot to be sown, and clean off all brush, leaves 

 and briars. If it cannot be done with a stalk-rake, use hand 

 rakes, as the seed must come in contact with the soil. Seed 



