232 SOILS AND PLANT LIFE 



matter of fact, it is usually sown with some other grass, 

 which establishes itself quickly, but which the blue grass 

 eventually crowds out. 



171. Advantages and Disadvantages of Blue Grass. — 

 Among the advantages of blue grass the following may 

 be named : 



(a) It starts to grow early in the spring and grows late 

 in the fall. 



(b) It is highly nutritious and palatable. 



(c) It endures close pasturing, as well as clipping with 

 the lawn mower, and hence it is an admirable grass for 

 both pastures and lawns. 



(d) It is a persistent perennial. 



(e) It spreads rapidly, and it is a useful and beauti- 

 ful grass along the roadsides and in open timber lands. 



(/) It cures well in the field and makes excellent winter 

 pasture. 



Many farmers, however, object to blue grass, giving 

 among their reasons the ones below : 



(a) It is shallow-rooted and dries up during the months 

 of high temperatures and Ught rainfall, July and August. 

 It is often of little value for pasture during these months. 



(6) It spreads ra,pidly and often crowds out timothy 

 and clover. In Oregon, men complain that blue grass 

 crowds out other grasses and then dies, itself, of drouth. 



(c) It is of little value for hay. 



(d) It does not become established as quickly when the 

 seed is sown as do some other grasses, the time required 

 often being two or three years, or even more. 



Redtop 



172. The Range and Character of Redtop. — Redtop 

 grows as far south as Louisiana, and is a very important 



