For the Southern States. 
RED TOP GRASS. 
(Agrostis Vulgaris.) 
This is the best grass of England, the herd grass of the Southern 
States ; not in honor of any man, but probably because so well adapted 
to the herd. It is called also Fine Top, Burden’s and Borden’s 
Grass. Varying greatly in characters, according to soil, location, cli- 
mate and culture, some botanists have styled it A. Polymorpha. It 
grows two to three feet high, and I have mown it when four feet high. 
It grows well on hill-tops and sides, in ditches, gullies and marshes, 
but delights in moist bottom land. It is not injured by overflows, 
though somewhat prolonged. In marshy land it produces a very 
dense, strong network of roots capable of sustaining the weight of 
men and animals walking over it. 
It furnishes considerable grazing during warm ‘“‘spells’’ in winter, 
and in spring and summer an abundant supply of nutrition. It has 
a tendency, being very hardy, to increase in density of growth and ex- 
tent of surface, and will continue indefinitely, though easily subdued 
‘by the plow. 
Cut before maturing seed it makes a good hay and large quantity. 
It seems to grow taller in the Southern States than it does further 
North, and to make more and better hay and grazing. Red top and 
timothy, being adapted to the same soil and maturing at the same 
time, do well together and produce an excellent hay. But the red top 
will finally root out timothy, andif pastured much it willdo so sooner. 
Sow about two bushels (24 lbs.) per acre, if alone, in September, 
October, February or March; if with timothy for hay, from 6 to 10 
pounds; if with other grasses for pasture, 3to5 pounds. It is an ex- 
cellent pasture grass, and will grow on almost any kind of soil. 
KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS. 
(Poa Pratensis.) 
This is called also smooth meadow grass, spear grass, and green 
erass, all three very appropriate, characteristic names. But Blue is a 
misnomer for this grass. It is not blue, but ‘green as grass’ and 
the greenest of grasses. The P. compressa, flat-stalked meadow grass, 
wire grass, blue grass is blue, the ‘true blue’ grass from which the 
genus received its trivial name. 
Kentucky blue grass, known also inthe Eastern States as June 
grass, although esteemed in some parts of America as the best of all 
pasture grasses, seems not to be considered very valuable among 
English farmers except in mixtures. It is certainly a very desirable 
pasture grass however. Its very narrow leaves, one, two or more feet 
long, are in such profusion and cover the ground to such depth with 
their luxuriant growth that a mere description could give no one an 
adequate idea of its beauty, quantity and value; that is on rich land. 
On poor, sandy land, it degenerates sadly as do other things uncon- 
genially located. 3 
Perennial, and bearing cold and drought well, it furnishes grazing 
a large part of the year. It is specially valuable asa winter and 
spring grass for the South. Tosecure the best winter results, it should 
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