64 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



matting turf is wanted for holding the soil together, no more 

 valuable plant can be introduced. 



Under the name of Kentucky Blue Grass, or June Grass, 

 Poa pratensis has been cultivated in the United States with 

 striking success. When once established as a pasture the value 

 of the land is immediately enhanced. Americans grow it on 

 their richest soil, and are surprised that we use the plant so 

 little and never sow it alone. 



Experience of a different character has been reahsed in 

 some parts of New Zealand, where this grass has developed a 

 very objectionable habit of growth and is difficult to eradicate 

 from arable land when once it has obtained a footing. This 

 fact does not prove the worthlessness of the grass for British 

 use. The case is analogous to that of our famihar Sweetbriar, 

 which since its introduction into Tasmania forms thickets in 

 that country, entangling and overpowering other vegetation, 

 throwing underground suckers across fields, and matting the 

 soil with a dense mass of fibre. But we are not on that 

 account inclined to sacrifice the charming bush of our gardens 

 and hedgerows. Neither the merits of Poa pratensis when 

 cultivated in America, nor its demerits when sown in certain 

 districts of New Zealand, however interesting they may be, 

 need influence our estimate of the value of a grass which 

 experience has proved to be of great service in this country. 



The rounded, concave tip of the leaf, together with the 

 obtuse ligule, the yellowish green of the lower sheaths, and 

 short stolons, wiU enable the observer to determine the 

 presence of this species in a pasture. 



Dressings of nitrate of soda discourage the growth of 

 Poa pratensis, while mineral superphosphates combined with 

 ammonia salts foster it. At Kidmore decorticated cotton cake 

 was also conducive to the growth of this grass. 



For illustration, description, and chemical analysis, see 

 pages 174 and 175. 



