The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-05-27
Kentucky Blue-G ry.ss,

From the Kentucky Live stock Record
Kentucky blue grass, or Pea prdtenstS, re
ceives its name from its blush tint when fall
grown; it has often been claimed as the
same species as the northern June grass or
the Pennsylvania green grass. From ais
form and color this claim doubtless orlginat
ed, but on investigation We find II different
and much superior variety. 1t is indigenous
TO all limestone land, and ilOurishes best
where there is clay base The South
Branch of the Potomac, and the Greenbrlar
section of Virginia, perhaps surpasses any
other LOCALITIES outside OF Central Kentucky
in adaptability for its propagation. we have
heard Captain Isaac Cunningham, who, per
haps, utilized 1t as early as any Kentucky
stock breeder and whose close observation
made him fine authority, say wherever the
short, jointed pipe stem cane was to be found
tourishing, there was soil best adapted to
blue. grass Our own observation since has
verified this assertion in reference to Ken
lucky. Ii grows we'll in a rather dry soil,
but will grow in 2 variety Of soils, from a
wet meadow 20 the dryest OF knobs. 1t Is
difficult TO give it "a good set in light, por-
Gus or sandy land, and it does not stand a
severe drought like some other grasses. Ii
the summer is very dry ii appears to dry up
utterly and will burn II set on fire, yet even
in its dry state / is very nutritious 10 all
kinds Of grazing stock, especially to sheep
and cattle, but perhaps its greatest value is
! its power TO endure the frosts of winter better
than any other grass, and even in summer,
when 1t appears crisp and liteless, it is mot
dead, but slecpcth,' and the first gentle pat.
ter of the rain anmates and sets II 10 grow.
| ing. Among the characteristics that specially
commend il 10 favor are: |. Its capacity TO
al,uula,,t
and may almost be called an evergreen, thus
giving II advantages for winter grazing
Again, its taitening qualities are certainly
equal, il not superior, TO those of any other
grass, giving rise 10 the most saTory OF meats
Cattle keep IN good beef order on 1t during
the winter. Especially in milch cows does
! Its excellence manifest itself, producing :
rich How of sweet aud oily CreaC,, from
which the choicest butter is made. II Ia.
fine capacity Tor holding the soil from wash
ing away: with Us thousands Of ihreadl
rootlCts II clasps every atom 90 soil, and wheI
it has thus taken possession II admits of Il,
rival, forming heavy, rich, dark grcIl
swarl having, "a a llltle distance. n spmewha
. lbluish cast. Au old blue grass" farmer q
, this vicinity says. Whoever has limcston
land has bluegrass, whoever has blue gras
!. has the basis q: all agricultural prosperity
9 ana that man, II hc has not the finest cat,l,
!, horses and sheep, has no one 10 blame bU
himself lie can hardly avoid doing well
he will try IL may be sOWn any time du
= ling the winter when the snow j. on "a
: ground, or further south, during some of ia
= many rainy spells Of their mIlder winter
: Sow broadcast from three pecks 10 a bush'
!, of the seed TO the acre. In a loose SOIL IL
= best to prepare II by feeding stock upon
,e and tramping the ground well; but IN he
= lucky lands, when il is desired 20 get Il We