GMASSES. 1147 



ures. Some writers claim that the June grass of New England and 

 the Middle States is the same as blue grass ; but others deny its 

 , identity. If the same, it does not reach that degree of perfection 

 in other localities which it attains in the limestone soils of Ken- 

 tucky. It is liable to be affected by severe drought, but otherwise 

 endures the changes of climate as well as other grasses. It should 

 not be grown upon land which is often plowed. It starts very 

 slowly, and needs four years in which to become fully developed. 

 The first year after seeding, but little of it will appear, and that will 

 be very small and fine. The next season there will be a little more, 

 the third year a great deal more, while during the fourth season "it 

 will make a luxuriant growth. On account of this slow develop- 

 ment, orchard grass seed and clover or oat grass should be sown 

 with the blue grass. The other grasses will keep down the weeds, 

 and give ample shade. The blue grass will, in time, overpower the 

 other varieties, and take entire possession of the soil. About four 

 quarts of seed are required for an acre. Before sowing, the land 

 should be made rich, and the surface finely pulverized. This grass 

 is one of the very best for pastures, and ought to be more generally 

 used. 



June grass requires at least two or three years to become well 

 set, and it does not arrive at its perfection as a pasture grass till 

 the sward is older than that ; and hence it is not suited to alternate 

 husbandry, or where the land is to remain' in grass only two or 

 three years, and then be ploughed up. When properly cured, stock 

 6eem greatly to prefer it to all other hay. It endures the frosts of 

 winter better, than many other grasses ; and in Kentucky, where it 

 attains the highest perfection as a pasture grass* it sometimes con- 

 tinues luxuriant through their mild winters. See Fig. 14. 



Fowl Meadow. — This is a valuable grass for moist soils. It is 

 very early, but, unlike most other varieties, it remains good for 

 several weeks. If grown on rich land, two crops per year can be 

 obtained. The quality of the hay is very good. 



Bermuda Grass. — This gr,aSs was introduced from the West 

 Indies. It is a permanent plant ; once in the soil, it resists all ordi- 

 nary efforts for its eradication. Cattle like it, and will thrive when 

 kept upon it. It produces a very heavy sod, which is valuable to 

 turn in as a fertilizer for other crops. 



Meadow Foxtail, Fig. 26, closely resembles timothy . It flowers 

 earlier than timothy, and thrives on all soils except the driest sands 

 an*d gravels. It is common, but is disliked by many farmers as a 



