500 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA, 



MEADOW FISCUE (Festuca pratensis). 



It comes near in its appearance to rye grass, but seems greatly superior, 

 at least for the purpose of forming or improving meadows, as being larger 

 and more productive in foliage. It is hardy, strictly perennial, and 

 thrives well, not only in wet, but in dry grounds, growing in all situa- 

 tions. It abounds in the best meadows, in the best hay districts, and in 

 short, seems well calculated to supply the defects of rye grass. It has 

 also the quality of producing more seeds than most of the other sorts of 

 grasses which grow rapidly and are easily gathered. No plant, whatever, 

 deserves more the attention of the farmer than this, it being of certain 

 growth, easy culture, productive and remarkably sweet. It will thrive in 

 either dry or wet soils, an advantage which most others do not possess ; 

 and, except in point of early growth, it appears to be little inferior to Fox 

 Tail. This grass, which is seldom absent from rich meadows and pastures, 

 is observed to be highly grateful to oxen, sheep and horses, particularly 

 the former. It appears to grow most luxuriantly with the hard fescue. 

 This is said to be the Randall grass of Virginia. 



TALL OAT GRASS (Arrhenotherum avenaceum). 



Tall Oat Grass, or Peruvian Grass of Virginia, though a rather coarse 

 plant, yet vegetates with great luxuriance ; it is early and productive, and 

 affords a plentiful aftermath. It approaches the meadow foxtail in ex- 

 cellence, for which it may prove a substitute in many cases. It is some- 

 times found abundant in meadows in England. On the continent of 

 Europe it is cultivated with advantage, and proved at the Experimental 

 Farm to be suitable for Ontario. It is found most beneficial when retained 

 in a close state of feeding. It makes good hay, is natural to sandy loams 

 but thrives best on strong, tenacious clays in England. Tall Oat Grass 

 was introduced into the United States about the beginning of the present 

 century. Judge Buel, of Albany, speaking of it in 1823, says : " It pos- 

 sesses the advantage of early, quick and late growth, for which the cock's 

 foot is esteemed, tillers well and is admirably calculated for a pasture 

 grass. It has the advantage of Orchard grass, which it resembles in the 

 time of maturing, in quickness of growth and its earliness and lateness. 

 Orchard grass always takes two years to make a full crop, while Oat 

 grass sown in the fall on good land will make a crop of hay the next sum- 

 mer. It has also the advantage over Orchard grass in seeding. It may 

 be sown either in the spring or fall, while Orchard grass in this climate 

 must always be sown in the spring. 



