362 THE SECONDARY GRASSES 



years. It is cultivated principally at present in northeastern 

 Kansas and western Missouri. 



Adaptations. Meadow fescue is, in general, adapted to about 

 the same climatic and soil conditions as timothy. However, in most 

 of the timothy regions it can not compete with timothy as either a 

 hay or pasture grass, and has no especial qualities to recommend 

 it above timothy. In northeastern Kansas it seems to be somewhat 

 more drought-resistant than timothy, and has been found there to 

 produce an excellent crop of seed. It is grown in this region very 

 largely for the seed crop. 



Seed and Seeding. Ordinarily about fifteen to twenty pounds 

 of seed per acre is required. It is generally sown alone, either in the 

 fall or spring, but fall seeding is to be preferred. It should be sown 

 rather early, and will then give a fair crop of either seed or hay 

 the following season. 



Meadow fescue is frequently used in grass mixtures for pastures 

 in order to give variety. 



Characteristics. Meadow fescue, when sown thin, has a ten- 

 dency to form bunches, but will make a fair sod when sown thickly. 

 It does not spread by underground roots. It is considered a long- 

 lived grass, and has shown considerable ability to spread spon- 

 taneously, as it is found growing wild through all the northern part 

 of the United States. In hay production it will probably yield 

 about as much as timothy when at its best, but the quality of the 

 hay is not as good. 



RYE-GRASSES 



There are two rye-grasses, the one known as perennial or English 

 rye-grass (Fig. 162), and the other as Italian or annual rye-grass. 

 They are both rather short-lived perennials, but the Italian rye-grass 

 is less persistent than the English rye-grass. Under average con- 

 ditions in north Europe, annual rye-grass will live one year, though 

 some plants persist for two years, while the perennial rye-grass will 

 live only two to three years. 



Perennial Rye-grass Origin and History. It is generally 

 believed that perennial rye-grass was the first grass to be cultivated to 

 any extent. In some places it forms natural meadows and seeds 



