VII 
THE BLUE-GRASSES 
KENTUCKY BLUE-GRASS (Poa pratensis) 
‘“‘Ever smelt Kentucky grass, 
Or heard about its blueness? 
Seems as if the whole blamed world 
Was bursting out with newness, 
‘Skies and folks alike all smiles— 
Gracious ! you are lucky 
If you spend a day in June 
Down in old Kentucky.” 
— ALFRED MUNSON. 
ILUE-GRASS (June grass, Kentucky blue-grass), 
Fig. 18, is the standard pasture-grass of the 
country—at least, in those sections where 
tame pastures are mostly found. When the 
American farmer speaks of grass he usually means 
blue-grass. It is the one grass celebrated in song and 
story. In the Blue-Grass Region of northern Kentucky, 
and in many parts of Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, 
and Ohio, blue-grass pastures are the pride of the 
thrifty farmer. Its palatability to all classes of stock, 
the evenness of the sod it forms, the beautiful color of 
its verdure, and its increasing productiveness with 
age, if properly handled, all conspire to make blue- 
grass the king of pasture-grasses. 
It is in the Blue-Grass Region that fine horses and 
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