68 
Mr. J. 8. Gould, of New York, says: 
I have found it to grow on almost every kind of soil, but it attains the greatest 
perfection in a rich, moist one. It is one of those grasses: that thrive best when 
combined with others; it will not make a superior turf of itself, but it adds much 
to the value of a sward from its nutritive qualities and powers of early and late 
growth. As it perfects an abundance of seed it may be easily propagated. 
Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says: 
In portions of the Western States the grass has for some years been very highly 
recommended. In the Eastern States it has been cultivated for one hundred and 
fifty years or longer and valued highly. Jared Elliott, in 1749, spoke of it as grow- 
ing tall and thick, making amore soft and pliable hay than Timothy and better 
adapted for pressing and shipping for use of horses on shipboard. He says it makes 
a thick abundant growth on land more moist than is adapted to common upland 
grasses, and may be mowed any time from June to October, as it never becomes so 
coarse and hard, but the stalk is sweet and tender and eaten without waste. It has 
not been sufficiently cultivated in the Southern States, so far as I am aware, to know 
how long a meadow set with it may remain profitable. It is, however, worthy of 
extended trial. 
Mr. Charles L. Flint says: 
It grows abundantly in almost every part of New England, especially where it has 
been introduced and cultivated in suitable ground, such as the borders of rivers and 
intervals occasionally flooded. It never grows so coarse or hard but that the stalk 
is sweet and tender, and eaten without waste. It is easily made into hay, and is a 
nutritive and valuable grass. 
(Plate 76.) 
Poa tenuifolia. 
This species, in several varieties, is common in California, Oregon, 
Montana, etc., and is one of the numerous bunch grasses referred to in 
the accounts of the wild pasturage of that country. The foliage of some 
forms is scanty, but of others the radical leaves are long and abundant. 
It is stated that the Indians gather its seeds for food. (Plate 77.) 
Poa trivialis (Rough-stalked Meadow Grass). 
This species very much resembles the Poa pratensis. It is distin- 
guished chiefly by its having rough sheaths, by its long, pointed ligules, 
its fibrous roots, and the smooth, marginal nerves of the flowering 
glumes, whereas in Poa pratensis the sheaths are smooth, the ligules 
obtuse, the root stock running, and the marginal nerves of the flowering 
glumes are hairy. 
It has been little cultivated by itself in this country, but is sometimes 
found in low meadows or on the banks of shaded streams. It flourishes 
best in low or wet ground and in shaded situations, and is not so well 
adapted to general cultivation as the blue grass. 
Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says: 
It is especially adapted to wood pastures, as it delights in shade, banks of streams, 
and moist ground generally. It bears tramping, and is an excellent pasture grass. 
It makes a good mixture with redtop and tall oat grass, and with other pasture 
grasses. 
eae 
wl 
et At a 
