THE GRASSES, MEADOWS, ETC. 101 



loving a very moist soil, and somewhat indifferent as to its 

 texture. The scale of its nutritive properties is put down in 

 the Woburn experiments, at a remarkably low rate, being 

 less than one fourteenth of the value per acre of Timothy in 

 the seed. We think there must be an error in this esti- 

 mate, as it grows luxuriantly under favorable circumstances, 

 and is relished by cattle. It is seldom cultivated by observ- 

 ing farmers, where the better grasses will grow. 



UPRIGHT BENT GRASS, HERDS' GRASS OR FOUL MEADOW 

 ( A. stricta) is similar to the foregoing, and by some is deem- 

 ed only a variety. 



TALL OAT GRASS (Avena elatior) is an early luxuriant 

 grass, growing to the height, sometimes, of five feet. It 

 makes good hay, but is better suited to pasture. It flour- 

 ishes in a loam or clay soil. 



FIG. 12. FIG. ll. FIG. 13. 



THE TALL FESCUE (Festuca elatior, Fig. 11) would 

 appear by the Woburn experiments, to yield more nutritive 

 matter per acre, when cut in flower, than any other grass cut 

 either in flower or seed. This is a native of the United 

 States, and is best suited to a rich loam. It is not extensively 

 cultivated in this country. 



MEADOW FESCUE (F. pratensis, Fig. 12) likes a rich 

 boggy soil, bears well and produces an early grass, much 

 relished by cattle, either green, or cured as hay. 



SPIKED FESCUE (F. loleacea Fig. 13) is adapted to a 

 rich loam, and produces the best of hay and pasture. 



ThE PURPLE FESCUE (F. rubra), SHEEP'S FESCUE (F 

 ovina, Fig. 14), THE HARD FESCUE (F. duriuscula 



