48 PEEMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES. 



all suitable soils it is of importance in forming a close bottom to 

 the turf among stronger-grov/ing varieties, and in this respect is 

 of especial service for u])land pastures. Sinclair found Hard 

 Fescue to thrive best in company with Festuca pratensis and Pod 

 trivialis, and my own experience confirms his view. Mingled 

 with Sheep's Fescue it also forms a close and nutritious crop for 

 sheep. 



This grass starts into growth early in spring, flowers at, or 

 a little before midsummer, and yields an abundant lattermath. 

 On moist and rich soils it affords an immense amount of herbage, 

 which sometimes grows higher than the flowers, and the plant 

 will stand drought well when the land is in good condition. As 

 the nutritive value is much diminished by the formation of seed, 

 the crop should be cut in time to prevent deterioration. In hay 

 the presence of this grass is generally indicative of superior 

 quality, and mountain graziers insist that Hard Fescue contains 

 more ' proof than many varieties that receive a higher character 

 from the chemist. 



Festuca duriuscula is the most robust of the small Fescues, 

 and occupies as important a position among them as Festuca 

 pratensis does among the taller species. It is perfectly distinct 

 from Festuca ovina, being larger in growth ; the seed also is 

 larger, and is wanting in the rich golden-brown colour which 

 distinguishes true seed of Festuca ovina from that of all other 

 Fescues. On good soil Hard Fescue is undoubtedly superior to 

 Bed Fescue. The foliage is less harsh, the root is not creeping, 

 and in dry seasons Festuca duriuscula is more than able to hold 

 its own. I must also add that in dry seasons Festuca duriuscula 

 temporarily developes a partially creeping habit, and in wet 

 seasons Festuca nihra becomes less creeping than in dry years. 

 This does not make it a matter of indifference as to which of the 

 two is sown. Each variety is constant in character on the soil 

 which suits it, and there is waste of time and fodder in putting 

 either plant on land where it will take several years to adapt 

 itself to un congenial surroundin<]cs. Xear the sea-coast the 



