GARDEN MANUAL FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES. 



103 



Kentucky Blue Grass. 



Meadow Fescue. 



Rescue Grass. 



Kentucky Blue Grass. (Poa Pratensis). 

 This is also called smooth, meadov/ grass, 

 spear grass, and green grass, all three 

 very appropriate, characteristic names, 

 but Blue is a misnomer for this grass. It 

 is n(5t blue, but green as grass, and the 

 greenest of grasses. Kentucky Blue 

 Grass with its underground stems and 

 many roots, sustains the heat and 

 drought of the Southern States. It may 

 be sown any time from September to 

 April, preferable perhaps in the latter 

 half of February or early in March. The 

 surface of the land should be cleaned of 

 trash of all kinds, smooth, even; and if 

 recently plowed and harrowed, it should j 

 be rolled also. One year here gives a 

 finer growth and show than two in 

 Kentucky, or any other State so far 

 North. Sown alone, 20 to 26 pounds, that 

 is two busnels should be used; in mix- 

 tures, 4 to 6 pounds. 



Meadow Fescue. (Festuca Pratensis). 

 As a pasturage grass we consider this 

 one of the most valuable. It is not 

 affected by dry weather, as its roots 

 penetrate the earth 12 to 15 inches; it is 

 much relished by all kinds of stock on 

 account of its long and tender leaves. It 

 yields a very superior hay when cured. 

 It is deserving of much more attention. 

 Sow in spring or fall. Two bushels to 

 the acre. In some sections it is called 

 Randall Grass. This should not be con- 

 founded with the English Rye Grass, 

 offered by some dealers as the same 

 variety. 



Rescue Grass. (Ceratochloa Australis 

 or Bromus Shraderii). A forage plant 

 from Australia. It grows during the 

 winter. Sow the seed in the fall of the 

 year, but not before the weather gets 

 cool, as it will not sprout as long as the 

 ground, is warm. Sow l^^ to 2 bushels ' 



of seed to the acre. It is an annual 

 wmter grass. It varies in the time of 

 starting growth. We have seen it ready 

 for mowing the first of October, and 

 furnish frequent cuttings till April. Again 

 It may not start before January, nor be 

 ready to cut until February. This de- 

 pends upon the moisture and depression 

 of temperature. 



Red Top Grass. 



Red Top Grass. (Agrostis Vulgaris). 

 This is the best grass of England, the 

 herd grass of the United States; not in 

 honor of any man, but probably because 

 so well adapted to the herd. It is called 



Plant Steckler's Hog Pasture Mixture and Steckler's Mixed Lawn G 



rass. 



