038 CULTIVATION OF PLANTS. 



23. Hard Fescue Grass. 



The hard fescue grass, Festuca duriuscula, flourishes in 

 almost any situation, wet or dry, blossoms in June, and is con- 

 sidered one of the best of the dwarf sorts of grasses, and suited 

 to the pasturage of sheep. It frequently grows to the height 

 of three, and sometimes four feet; it soon becomes thin, and 

 disappears. It is suitable only for mixing with other grasses. 



24. Tall Fescue Grass. 



The tall fescue grass, Festuca elatior, is a native perennial 

 grass, very luxuriant and productive in some sections, but not 

 a general favourite with our farmers. It is rather coarse. Cows 

 are fond of it, but horses reject it. It grows naturally in bog 

 meadows, moist places, and in woods. Leaves broad, stem 

 high, sometimes six feet, and flowers in July. Notwithstand- 

 ing the unfavourable opinion entertained by botanists of this 

 plant, we believe that, with proper care and attention, it may 

 be brought to take rank with our most esteemed and valuable 

 grasses. 



25. Spiked Fescue Grass. 



Festuca coliacea, spiked fescue grass, grows in moist mea- 

 dows, and is said to be very productive. In England it very 

 rarely perfects its seeds, but this, with us, would not be 

 a serious objection to its cultivation were it otherwise useful, 

 as seed in sufficient quantities might be readily obtained from 

 other countries. At present, it is a stranger to American 

 practice; and it cannot be recommended as an agricultural 

 plant until further experiments are made. 



26. Yarrow. 



Yarrow, Jlchillea millefolium, is pronounced by the editor 

 of the "Complete Grazier," as not only one of the most com- 

 mon, but also one of the most valuable plants growing in Bri- 

 tain.* It is also highly extolled by Dr. ANDERSON. It thrives 

 well on moist loams, and also on the dryest soils it is, indeed, 

 suited to almost every soil flowers in July and August, and, 

 according to ARTHUR YOUNG, it is a plant every way deserv- 

 ing of attention.! Its great virtue consists in resisting drought. 



* Complete Grazier, (sixth and last edition,) p. 479. 



t See A. YOUNG'S paper read before the Board of English Agriculture, vol. 

 ii.. 146. 



