99 



III. FesTUCA PRATENSrS.. 



The next grass in order of value, I imagine, is the Festuca 

 pratemis. la strength and luxuriance, it much resembles the 

 Dactylis, but it is full three weeks later;- yet its powers of 

 reproduction are so great that its aftermath is most abundant ;: 

 and it seems by no means so soft as that of the Alopecuriis,. 

 or even Dactylis, neither collapsing, like the former, ■when 

 left long on the ground,^nor embrawning so soon as the latter.. 



This grass is so strong,, that its hay is coarse, unless it be 

 mowed like the Dactylis in an early s^age of its inflorescence; 

 so that, where hay is the primary object, a crop of seed must 

 be given up ; but, as this Festuca produces much seed, a 

 small portion set apart would supply the farmer with seed ini 

 abundance. 



The Festuca pratensis holds possession of the ground 

 strongly. I have still, after standing seven yearsj an exclu*- 

 sive crop of it, Avith very little weeding. 



IV. Alopecurus pratensis-.. 



It rnay excite surprise that I have not yet mentioned Fox- 

 tail, (Alopecurus pratensis) generally esteemed our most va- 

 luable grass. I myself once entertained a very high opinion 

 of it, and paid particular attention to it. 



Even still, for the purpose of grazing, I think it equal,, 

 perhaps superior to any other ; for, in earliness and powers of 



reproduction, 



