83 



glumes are acute ; the flowering glumes acute or acutish, five-nerved, 

 the lateral nerves prominent, the lower part of the keel and marginal 

 nerves more or less hairy, and at the base more or less webby-hairy. 

 From the unexampled success its cultivation has met with in Ken- 

 tucky it has acquired the name of Kentucky blue grass, although in 

 New England it is known by the name of Juae grass. In all the 

 middle portions of the United States it forms the principal constit- 

 uent of pastures, though its excellence is said to be rather depreci- 

 ated in the Eastern States. 



Professor Killebrew, of Tennessee, says : 



It would seem a work of supererogation to argue as to the advantages of cultivat- 

 ing this grass. All know its benefits, and all see around them the great increase in 

 the value of the land covered by it. It grows readily in all parts of the United 

 States north of 40°, and lower down on suitable soils. It flowers in the earliest sum- 

 mer, and gives rich pasturage, except in the driest months, all the year. It varies 

 in size in different localities according to soil and climate. 



Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says : 



Kentucky blue grass, known also in the Eastern States as June grass, although 

 esteemed in some parts of America as the best of all pasture grasses, seems not to be 

 considered very valuable among English farmers except in mixtures. It is certainly 

 a very desirable grass, however. Its very narrow leaves, 1, 2, or more feet long, are 

 in such profusion and cover the ground to such depth with their luxuriant growth 

 that a mere description could give no one an adequate idea of its beauty, quantity, 

 or value ; that is, on rich land. On poor, sandy land it degenerates sadly, as do 

 other things uncongenially located. Perennial, and bearing cold and drought well, 

 it furnishes grazing a large part of the year. It is specially valuable as a winter and 

 spring grass for the South. In prolonged summer drought it dries completely, so 

 that if fired it would burn off clean. But this occurs even in Kentucky, where, in- 

 deed, it has seemed, without fire, to disappear utterly ; yet when rain came, the 

 bright green spears promptly recarpeted the earth. Sown alone, 20 to 26 pounds, 

 that is 2 bushels, should be used to the acre ; in mixtures, 4 to 6 pounds. 



Mr. Klippart, of Ohio, says that this grass is very much in favor 

 in Southern Ohio, whilst in Northern and Northeastern Ohio it is 

 considered a very unwelcome guest in the grass lands. This differ- 

 ence of estimation is probably due to varieties, or to alteration of 

 soil and to treatment. 



33. P. Pringlii, Scrib. California. 



34. P. pulchella, Vasey. Oregon and Washington Territory. 



35. P. reflexa, Vasey and Scribner. (P. arctica, Authors.) Kocky 



Mountains. 



36. P. serotina, Ehrh. Fowl Meadow grass. New England to 



Wisconsin. 



