44 KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS. 



highly valuable to all farmers, except those who are 

 - fond of a naked fellow. This appeal in favor of the 

 cultivation of the Blue and green grasses shows the 

 difference of opinion that existed of their merits and 

 demerits at that time." 



W. S. Rand, of Lewis Co., Kentucky, who has 

 had a large experience in the cultivation of Poa 

 Pratensis, says of it: "Common Spear grass and 

 Kentucky Blue grass is one and the same, varying in 

 size and appearance according to the soil and latitude 

 in which it grows. The plant is a light green color, 

 the spikelets frequently variegated with bluish 

 purple. Flowers in June, but once a year, which 

 recommends this for lawns. The produce ordinarily 

 is gmall compared with other grasses, but the 

 herbage is fine. It grows in a variety of soils, from 

 the dryest knolls to a wet meadow. It does not stand 

 severe drouths as well as the orchard grass. It 

 endures the frosts of winter better than all other 

 grasses, and continues luxuriant through mild 

 winters. It requires from two to three years to be- 

 come well set, does not arrive at perfection as a 

 pasture grass till the sward is older than three years, 

 hence it is not suited to alternate husbandry, or 

 where the land is to remain in grass only a few years 

 and then to be plowed up. The best Blue grass is 

 found in shaded pastures. It is the first plant that ■ 

 puts forth its leaves and remains green if the season 

 is favorable. Early in the fall it takes a second 

 growth and flourishes vigonrously until the ground 

 freezes. Blue grass makes the sweetest and best of 

 hay. It should be cut as the seeds begins to ripen, 

 spread well and protect from rain and dews, on the 

 second day. stock and shelter and salt. Blue grass- 



