(70) 



anywhere else. Our lower Silurian formation then, where- 

 ever found, may be safely sown in this grass. The Basin or 

 Middle Tennessee, and the valleys of East Tennessee, are 

 all well suited for this grass, and I have seen some good 

 sods in Carroll county. West Tenneesee. It also grows^ 

 upon many places amongst the hills of the rivers, though 

 not so luxuriantly as in the black loams of the silurian and 

 devonian formations. Lime, though a great stimulant to- 

 its growth, is not an essential ingredient in the soil. Blue- 

 grass will always grow well under walnut and locust trees. 



We have in Middle and East Tennessee the same charac- 

 ter of soil that exists in the blue grass country of Kentucky,, 

 and, owing to our milder climate, can produce a better 

 winter pasturage than can be produced in the colder climate 

 of Kentucky. Little land exists in Tennessee but what will- 

 produce this grass profitably. 



Select the lot to be sown, and clean off all brush, leaves,. 

 and briars. If it cannot be done with a stalk- rake, usfr 

 hand rakes, as the seed must come in contact with the soil. 

 Seed sown on a bed of leaves will soon germinate, but the 

 rootlets, being unable to burrow in the soil, will quickly 

 parch up and die. If the land is thickly covered with trees,, 

 it will not thrive well, therefore it is necessary the timber 

 should be thinned out. Leave the tallest trees that are 

 really the more valuable, taking off the low, bushy kinds, 

 that make too much shade. It is an admitted fact that blue 

 grass does better in partial shade than where there is none.. 

 It does not endure a drought as well as some other grasses,. 

 and, consequently, some degree of shade is essential to pro- 

 tect it from the scorching rays of midsummer. 



So many seasons have been recommended as the proper 

 time of sowing, that it may be said each one, under favor- 

 able circumstances, is a good time. One Kentucky farmer 

 says: "Any time in the winter, when snow is on the ground, 

 sow broadcast from three to four quarts of seed to the acre. 

 With the spring the seeds germinate, and are very fine and 



