206 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



practically the same area as timothy. It prefers rich, 

 moist or even wet soils, but does not succeed well in sandy 

 land. In shady places it thrives quite as well as orchard- 

 grass. It is better adapted for pastures than for meadows, 

 but may be used for both purposes. The grass was early 

 introduced in the United States and occurs spontaneously 

 over the whole region to which it is adapted, but it seems 

 never to be abundant under natural conditions. The 

 grass is probably just as hardy as timothy and has suc- 

 ceeded as far north as Kenai, Alaska. 



228. Importance. Meadow fescue is a grass of small 

 importance in American agriculture, except in eastern 

 Kansas, where much seed is grown principally for export 

 to Europe. This industry began in 1877 and has developed 

 greatly since 1885. In 1903 the yield of seed was estimated 

 at about 400,000 pounds. Both the yield and the prices 

 fluctuate greatly, which has led to a larger utilization of 

 the grass crop for hay and pasture. 



In Europe the grass is much employed both in meadow 

 and in pasture mixtures. 



229. Seeding. Meadow fescue should be sown on a 

 well-prepared and thoroughly firmed seed bed. It may 

 be seeded either in fall or in spring, but early fall is the 

 usual time. Nurse crops are seldom used, as if fall sown 

 a full crop ensues the first year. The usual rate of seeding 

 is 10 to 15 pounds to the acre where a seed crop is desired. 

 Heavier seedings are better for hay or for pasture, but 

 probably reduce the seed crop. Red clover is some- 

 times mixed to improve the subsequent crop of hay or 

 pasture. 



In Europe the rate of seeding when sown alone is given 

 at 40 pounds per acre by most authorities, but the grass 

 is usually sown in mixtures. 



