202 



FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



to three and one-half feet in height, depending upon the 

 soil. They are quite commonly from 15 to 24 inches high. 

 The culms of blue-grass are round and smooth, and the 

 smooth character gives to it the 

 name of smooth-stalked meadow- 

 grass, by which it is known in 

 England. The leaves are smooth, 

 narrow, and bright green in color. 

 The culm leaves are few in num- 

 ber and from 3 to 6 inches in 

 length, while the basal leaves grow 

 in abundance and are much longer 

 than the culm leaves, usually from 

 1 to 2J feet. The inflorescence is 

 an open, spreading, branched 

 panicle, varying from 3 to 9 inches 

 in length. The spikelets are larger 

 and fewer in number than those 

 of redtop, and contain rom 3 to 

 5 flowers. The panicle during 

 certain periods of its growth is 

 tinged with red, giving to it the 

 appearance of redtop. The seeds 

 remain inclosed in the glumes, and 

 as they come from the thrasher 

 contain a mixture of chaff and 

 weigh but 14 pounds per bushel, 

 which is the legal weight in most 

 states. Well-cleaned seed may 

 weigh as much as 25 pounds per 

 bushel. The seed found on the market is usually very 

 low in vitality, which is due in a large measure to the 

 method of harvesting and drying the seed. 



FIG. 72. Kentucky blue- 



