41 



resembling the cultivated rye. It is found in almost all parts of the 

 country in low thickets and along streams in rich, open woods. So 

 far this grass has received very little attention. Some recent experi- 

 ments, howev^er, indicate that it has considerable value for pasture and 

 hay. In the Northwest it is regarded as of some agricultural value for 

 early pasturage, and in some places yields an excellent crop of hay. 

 Mr. A. B. Leckenby, our special agent in charge of the grass and for- 

 age plant investigations on the Pacific coast, reports that it did 

 remarkably well, producing two crops of seed, and suggests that it 

 might be a useful grass to bring into cultivation. An equally good 

 report comes from our special agent, Mr. H. L. Bentley, at Abilene, 

 Tex. He found that it did well both on moist and dry land. It 

 seeded out well and stood the long severe drought remarkably. The 

 quality of the hay produced was very fine, and he considers it the best 

 hay grass native to that part of Texas. The following is extracted 

 from his report: 



There are thousands of acres of mcist valley lands that are annually cultivated in 

 cotton and corn that could l)e put down to Canadian lynie-grass to much better 

 advantage. I am.satisfied that average valley lands in this section fairly well seeded 

 with this grass will yield two good crops of hay every year, and that even a third crop 

 is possible. After a second cutting here this year, in spite of the worst and longest 

 drought ever known in this part of Texas, the third crop is now 12 to 16 inches tall 

 and would afford excellent pasturage. 



On the experimental grounds of the Department at Washington, 

 D. C, this grass has also done very well, producing a fine growth 2^ 

 to 3 feet high. It was in full bloom about July 1, and cut for seed 

 when fully ripe about August 15. By September 7 a vigorous after- 

 math 1 foot high had grown, which would have afi'orded excellent 

 pasturage. The tufts are still (November 27) growing vigorously, 

 although the tips of some of the leaves are yellowed by the heavy 

 frosts. Twenty-two trial packages of the seed of Canadian lyme-grass 

 have been distributed by this Division since 1896, but only 6 reports 

 have been received. Of these 2 were failures, 2 unsatisfactory, and 2 

 good. 



Mr. George T. McWhorter, Riverton, Colbert County, Ala., reports 



as follows: 



The seed was sown on a well-prepared bed on March 1, 1899, and kept free from 

 weeds. It came up, but died down during the summer, reviving again with the fall 

 rains. We had a very long protracted drought this year, so that it is no criterion. 

 It promises better than anything sown except buffalo grass. 



MEADOW FESCUE : ENGLISH BliUE-GIlASS (Festuca pratensis) . 



Meadow fescue is an erect, robust perennial, from 2 to 4 feet high, 

 with numerous linear, glossy -green leaves and a branched panicle which 

 is inclined to one side. It succeeds best on rather moist clay soils, such 

 as are commonly found along creek bottoms, but will grow on almost all 



