BLUE JOINT GRASS. 331 



older cultivated grasses. This expectation has been real- 

 ized only in a slight degree. The only range grasses 

 that are coming into general cultivation to any con- 

 siderable extent at the present time are western rye 

 grass (Agropyrum tenerum), in the North and Texas 

 blue grass in the South. Notwithstanding the value 

 of these grasses, they cannot be placed in the very front 

 rank. 



Among those not yet tested under cultivation, or only 

 partially tested, are but two varieties, which are pos- 

 sessed of any considerable promise when cultivated. 

 These are Blue Joint (^Calamagrostis canadensis) and 

 Blue Grama {Bouteloua oligostachya) . It is of course 

 possible that other range grasses may yet be brought 

 to the front, but the hope of this does not seem bright 

 at the present time. 



Blue Joint {Calamagrostis canadensis). — This grass 

 is perennial. It grows to the height of 3 to 6 feet and 

 is surmounted by a panicle, rather narrow and purplish 

 in color. It bears considerable resemblance to that 

 of redtop, but it grows much higher and larger. The 

 leaves are large and very abundant. The roots are 

 creeping and the root system is very heavy. 



Unlike other grasses, knovsra as blue joint, on the 

 ' range it grows only in moist situations and produces 

 much more abundantly than these. 



Blue Joint grows with great rapidity in May and 

 June, and is a great yielder, giving generally from 2 to 

 4 tons per acre of excellent hay, that is much relished by 

 live stock. 



It is distributed over nearly all the northern states. 

 Grasses — 22. 



