25 



under the snow, affording fine croppings for cattle. It will grow on a 

 greater elevation than the blue grass. 



Meadow fescue grass does not attain its full productive capacity until 

 the third or fourth year, so that while its durability in the soil is great it 

 may not be depended upon for a quick meadow or pasture. It will yield 

 the first year. from one to one and a half tons of hay when sown upon con- 

 genial soil, and twice that amount the second year. The seed weighs 

 from 12 to 16 pounds to the bushel and three bushels are required to the 

 acre. Prepare the land and sow at the same time of the year and in the 

 same manner pointed out for the sowing of blue grass. In sowing it for 

 pasture it is usual to mix it with other fescue grasses. 



This grass has never received the attention in the south it justly 

 merits. It is greatly relished by all herbivorous animals. It is a vigor- 

 ous grower, resembling in this particular, after being well established, 



Sheep Fescue Festuca ovina. 



2. Inflorescence. 3. Spikelet. 4. Empty 



glume. 5. Flowering glume. 



Tennessee Fescue Festuca rubra glaucescens. 



2. Inflorescence. 3. Upper leaf. 4. Spikelet. 



5. Empty glume. 6. Flowering glume. 



blue grass, though it takes two or three years to reach the condition of 

 its greatest fruitfuiness. It is fairly nutritious both in its green and cured 

 state. 



SHEEP FESCUE (Festuca ovina.} (Pastures.) 

 This is a very hardy perennial and deserves mention in this bulletin 

 because it will grow on thin, dry, siliceous soils and thus fills a want in 

 those regions of Tennessee that are destitute of good grass lands and are 

 now practically without grasses. On the sandy soils of the Cumberland 

 table-land and on the siliceous soils of the Highland Rim and on the 

 sandy areas of the cretaceous formation of West Tennessee this grass 

 would prove a boon. The gravelly ridges of East Tennessee could also 



