THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 95 



Professor Killebrew, of Tennessee, says : 



It would seem a work of supererogation to argue as to the advantages of cultivat- 

 ing tliis grass. All know its benefits, and all see around them the great increase in 

 the value of the land covered by it. It grows readily in all parts of the United 

 States north of 40°, and lower down on suitable soils. It flowers in the earliest sum- 

 mer, and gives rich pasturage, except in the driest months, all the year. It varies in 

 size in different localities according to soil and climate. 



Professor Phares, of Mississippi, says : 



Kentucky blue grass, known also in the 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 grass, however. Its very narrow leaves, 1, 2, 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, 

 or value | that is, on rich land. On poor, sandy laud it degenerates sadly, as do other 

 things uncongenially located. Perennial, and bearing cold and drought well, it fur- 

 nishes grazing a large part of the year. It is specially valuable as a winter and 

 spring grass for the South. In prolonged summer drought it dries completely, so that 

 if fired it would burn off clean. But this occurs even in Kentucky, where, indeed, it 

 has seemed, without fire, to disappear utterly ; yet when rain came, the bright green 

 spears promptly recarpeted the earth. Sown alone, 20 to 26 pounds, that is 2 bushels, 

 should be used to the acre ; in mixtures, 4 to 6 pounds. 



Mr. Klippart, of Ohio, says that this grass is very much in favor in 

 Southern Ohio, whilst in i^orthern and Northeastern Ohio it is considered 

 a very unwelcome guest in the grass lands. This diiference of estima- 

 tion is probably due to varieties, or to alteration of soil and to treat- 

 ment. (Plate 97). 



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 lig- 

 ules, 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 flower- 

 ing glumes are hairy. It has been littlp 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 specially 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 red top and orchard grass, or red top and tall oat grass, 

 and with other pasture grasses. 



PoA SEROTINA. (Fowl Mcadow grass.) 



Culms erect, 2 to 3 feet high, without running root-stocks. The leaves 

 are narrowly linear, 3 to 6 inches long and two to three lines wide, the 

 sheaths long, smooth, and striate, the ligules long. The panicle varies 



