THE PERENNIAL GRASSES 201 



to many growers that forage grasses may be improved 

 by the same means. The Cornell Experiment Station is 

 one of the few that has engaged in this work. The results 

 of their experiments show that much is possible by selec- 

 tion, and it will be only a short time probably until seed 

 of heavy yielding strains or varieties of timothy may be 

 purchased on the market. By selecting desirable plants 

 and propagating them, the yield and quality of the grass 

 has been greatly increased above that of the average. 



KENTUCKY BLUE-GRASS 



The name Kentucky blue-grass is given to this common 

 and useful grass, not because it is a native of Kentucky, 

 but because nowhere else does it grow so luxuriantly 

 and nowhere else is it held in such high esteem. In some 

 places it is called June-grass because it makes its best 

 growth during this month. In England, where it is quite 

 common, it is called smooth-stalked meadow-grass. In 

 some places, too, it is called green-grass, while in other 

 localities it is called simply blue-grass. 



188. Description. — Kentucky blue-grass, Poa pra- 

 tensis, is a strong perennial. Unlike most grasses, it 

 becomes more productive as the years go by, provided it 

 is favored with good care. The roots of Kentucky blue- 

 grass do not penetrate deeply into the soil and it is easily 

 affected by drought. The plant is provided with numer- 

 ous creeping underground root stalks, which give rise to 

 new plants, and it is able thus to thicken up a thin stand. 

 The underground root stalks grow so vigorously that other 

 grasses, excepting the most persistent ones, are soon 

 crowded out. A good blue-grass sod is firm and tough 

 and stands tramping and grazing well. The culms are 

 comparatively few in number and grow from a few inches 



