THE PEBENNIAL GRASSES 203 



189. Distribution and adaptation. — Kentucky blue- 

 grass is probably a native of Europe, and although no 

 records are to be found, it was probably introduced into 

 America many years ago. It is said that the early 

 settlers of Virginia and Kentucky looked upon it as a 

 dangerous weed, and prophesied that it would some day 

 drive the farmers out of the country. How great would 

 be the surprise of these same men, could they but see 

 to-day the fine pasture it makes, and learn how highly 

 we prize Kentucky blue-grass! While this grass may be 

 found here and there over almost all of the United States, it 

 is cultivated as a hay and pasture grass only in the timothy 

 region, and in those states just south of this region. In 

 the South it does not endure the hot weather and is soon 

 killed out. Its distribution outside of the timothy region 

 is confined largely to limestone soil. On a narrow strip 

 of land running south of the Ohio River, through central 

 Kentucky, and extending to the middle of Tennessee, blue- 

 grass is found at its best. The famous blue-grass region of 

 Kentucky is known far and wide for its famous pastures. 

 In Virginia, too, fine blue-grass pastures are found in the 

 fertile limestone valleys. Blue-grass is the basis of all 

 permanent pastures and lawn mixtures throughout the 

 corn belt states. It finds its greatest field of usefulness 

 in that section of the coimtry west of the New England 

 States and east of the Missouri River. Here it holds 

 the same position as a pasture grass that timothy does as a 

 hay grass. Blue-grass grows best on clay or clay loam soil, 

 and does not do well on loose, sandy soil. Being a shallow- 

 rooted plant, it requires moist soils, but does not thrive 

 in wet soil. It is easily affected by drought and fails to 

 grow during dry weather. Blue-grass is sensitive to acid 

 soils and does not grow well on them until this condition 



