144 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



growth, fair productiveness, and easy propagation make it a 

 favorite grass. The presence of Meadow Fescue indicates a good 

 soil, and upon well-drained clayey lands it is one of the best 

 grasses we can cultivate ; it is alike good for hay and pasturage. 

 Where the soil is more moist, but deep and strong, the Large 

 Fescue (Festuca ammdinacea) may be cultivated. It is one of 

 the most productive of the hay grasses. Almost equally produc- 

 tive on soils suitable to it is Orchard grass, and by many of our 

 farmers this is regarded as equal, if not superior, to Timothy. It 

 has a serious fault, however, of growing in bunches or tussocks. 

 It is not a turf former, and when cultivated the seed should be 

 sown thickly, and it is a good plan to add some other species as a 

 filler. This objectionable habit of Orchard grass may be over- 

 come in a measure by heavily rolling the fields in early spring. 

 Were it not for this tussock-forming habit. Orchard grass would 

 make one of the best of grasses for pastures, because of the early 

 and abundant production of tender leaves. Eye grass, so popular 

 in England, lias never come into much favor here, although it is 

 usually recommended as an ingredient for mixtures designed for 

 permanent pasture. On very rich soils, where the ground is 

 fairly moist and the atmosphere humid, its productiveness is very 

 large. It will make a fair turf if well cared for, and may be 

 used alone for lawns, but not in mixtures. Redtop is one of the 

 finest and best of our hay grasses, especially for low meadows, but 

 is less productive than other sorts. The requirements of a good 

 hay grass are productiveness, hardiness, and adaptability to the 

 soil. It must also be nutritious, rich in flesh-forming elements, 

 and possessing little fiber, and must be palatable to stock. I will 

 not attempt to discuss here the question of mixtures for perma- 

 nent or temporary meadows, further than to say that they must 

 be based upon the conditions of the soil and climate and the 

 wants of the farmer. Regard must also be paid to the time of or 

 succession of blooming of the several varieties which may be 

 sown. 



Our pasture grasses are more numerous than those which yield 

 us liay, and a just consideration of them would more than occupy 

 the time of a single lecture. The most important kinds are 

 Meadow Foxtail, Kentucky Blue grass, English Blue grass {Poa 

 comjjressa), certain varieties of liedtop, and species of Fescue. 

 Meadow Foxtail is one of the earliest, quite productive, and by 



