BLUEGRASS 



The bluegrasses are widely grown in the United States and are among 

 the most palatable of the pasture grasses. Kentucky and big bluegrass are 

 the two most important kinds. 



Kentucky Bluegrass 



Kentucky bluegrass, a sod -forming plant, is widely distributed in the 

 area north of a line running through central Delaware, Maryland, West 

 Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri into eastern Kansas. It is also found in 

 the mountainous sections of western Virginia, North Carolina, and eastern 

 Tennessee. 



Kentucky bluegrass does well under cool humid conditions and on well- 

 drained, fertile, limestone soils. It will grow, however, on slightly acid 

 land when provided with an ample supply of phosphorus. Used primarily in 

 permanent pastures, it provides early spring and fall grazing, but is dor- 

 mant during the heat of midsummer. It is palatable to livestock. 



Big Bluegrass 



Big bluegrass grows in bunches 2 to 4 feet tall and is primarily adapted 

 to eastern Washington, to Oregon, and to northern Idaho. Its adaptation to 

 a wide range of temperature, moisture, and soil conditions and an extensive 

 root system make it a good conservation plant for regrassing depleted range 

 land. Its heavy forage production, palatability, and tendency to grow from 

 early spring into the fall make it a good pasture plant as well. Since heavy 

 grazing and severe trampling will injure stands, it should be grazed in 

 moderation. 



Sherman is a new variety that appears to possess an even wider geo- 

 graphic adaptation than common big bluegrass. 



BLUESTEM 



The bluestems are important forage grasses in the Great Plains. Big, 

 little, and sand bluestem are the principal native species. Turkestan, 

 Caucasian, and Angleton are introduced bluestems. 



Big Bluestem 



Big bluestem is a coarse bunchgrass found principally in the eastern 

 half of the tier Of States extending from North Dakota to Texas. The grass 

 grows well on most soils but prefers moist, well -drained loams of rela- 

 tively high fertility. 



The plant provides pasture in the late spring and summer but tends to 

 become unpalatable with advancing maturity. It makes good hay if mowed 

 before the stemmy seed heads form, and provides good ground cover despite 

 the fact that it is a bunchgrass. Seed supply varies from year to year. 



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