CHAPTEK IV. 



KENTUCKY BLTTE GRASS. 



Blue grass is of several varieties. But two of these, 

 however, are of very much importance in furnishing 

 pasture or hay. These are the varieties known as {Poa 

 praiensis) and (Poa compressa) . The former is more 

 commonly known as Kentucky blue grass, but it is also 

 called June grass, from the fact, doubtless, that more 

 commonly it matures its seeds in June. It has also 

 been called Spear grass, and Smooth Stalked Meadow 

 grass. The latter is usually spoken of as Flat-Stemmed 

 Blue grass but is also sometimes called Wire grass and 

 Flat Stalked Meadow grass. A third variety commonly 

 spoken of as Texas Blue grass (Poa arachnifera), has 

 been found of considerable value in certain of the south- 

 ern states, but the discussion of this variety will be de- 

 ferred and taken up in Chapter XIV. 



Poa pratensis varies in height from a few inches to 

 IS or 20 inches, but on average soils the height is about 

 15 inches, althoiTgh under the most favorable conditions 

 it grows much higher. 



The stem is erect, smooth and roimd, and the panicle 

 is also erect and spreading. The leaves are relatively 

 small and numerous. The whole plant is of a light 

 green color, but the spikelets frequently assume a brown- 

 i.sh purple tint, somewhat resembling the tint of red 



