BLUE GRASS 173 



sown on a bed of leaves will soon germinate, but the root- 

 lets, being unable to burrow in the soil, will quickly 

 parch up and die. If the land is thickly covered with trees, 

 it will not thrive well, therefore, it is necessary the timber 

 should be thinned out. Leave the tallest trees that are 

 really the more valuable, taking ofi the low, bushy kinds 

 that make too much shade. It is an admitted fact, that 

 Blue Grass does better in partial shade than when there is 

 none. It does not endure a drought as well as some other 

 grasses, and consequently some degree of shade is essential 

 to protect it from the scorching rays of midsummer. 



TIME AND MANNER OF SOWING. 



So many seasons have been recommended as the proper 

 time of sowing, that it may be said each one, under fa- 

 vorable circumstances, is a good time. One Kentucky far- 

 mer says: "Any time in the winter, when snow is on the 

 ground, sow broadcast from three to four quarts of clean 

 seed to the acre. With the spring the seeds germinate and 

 are very fine and delicate in the spouts. No stock should 

 be allowed for the first year, nor until the grass seeds in 

 June for the first time, the second year. The best plan is 

 turn on your stock when the seeds ripen in June. Graze 

 off your grass, then allow the fall growth, and graze all 

 winter, taking care never to feed the grass closely at any 

 time." 



Another authority says: "Follow nature and obey her 

 dictates. The seeds ripen in June, and are scattered by the 

 winds and rains as soon as ripe, and therefore, sow your 

 seeds as soon as they can be gathered." 



This plan might be a proper one in a colder or moister 

 climate than ours, but here it would result in the grass being 

 often dried up by the drought that are almost invariable 

 in the latter part of summer. 



Many sow, as stated in the above quotation, on winter 

 snows, and that is a very good plan, but care should be 



