436 PHYSIOLOGY AT THE FARM. 



fibrous-rooted perennial, yet somewhat creeping, occasionally 

 throwing out lateral shoots. It grows from one to two feet 

 high. It flowers in the second week of June, and ripens its 

 seed in the middle of July. Its limit of altitude is about 3000 

 feet above the sea-level. 



This grass is of high value among agricultural products. It 

 is of early growth, thrives well on a great variety of soils and 

 situations, and, for its size, is very productive. It resists the 

 effects of severe dry weather better than many other grasses, 

 and retains its verdure during winter in a striking degree. It 

 is, on account of its fine foliage and perpetual verdure, well 

 adapted for sowing in ornamental lawns. Sheep and hares are 

 particularly fond of this grass. When cultivated for hay, it 

 should be mown at the time of flowering, as it then contains 

 more nutritive matter than at the time the seed is ripe. 



Several varieties of the wild grass have been noticed under 

 such names as 1iir8uta,filiformi8, arenaria, Jiumilis, andrw&?*a, 

 and several agricultural varieties have been raised, especially 

 by Mr T. Bishop at Methven Castle. 



It is one of the plants recommended to be sown for perma- 

 nent pastures and permanent lawn-pastures, in the proportion 

 of from 2 Ib. to 3 Ib. per imperial acre ; and for fine lawns, 

 bowling-greens, &c., kept constantly under the scythe, in the 

 proportion of from 3 Ib. to 4 Ib. ; for improved deep mossy 

 ground intended to be kept in grass, in the proportion of from 

 3 Ib. to 3 J Ib. ; and for permanent pasture and hay in orchards 

 and other grounds much overshadowed by trees, in the propor- 

 tion of 1 Ib. to the imperial acre. A bushel of the seeds 

 averages 9J Ib., while the number of seeds in the ounce 

 amounts to 39,000. 



The species of Festuca known as tall fescue-grass is recog- 

 nised in botany as the Festuca elatior. Of late years it has 

 also been called the Bucetum elatius and the Schenodorus ela- 



