PASTURE GRASSES. 279 



value is as a pasture-grass, as it covers the ground, and, 

 when fed close, will furnish much green food. It is also 

 very tenacious of life, and will stick to a field when it gets 

 rooted ; thus becoming a nuisance in a cultivated field, and 

 requiring three or four plo wings to eradicate ; but in per- 

 manent pastures it is very desirable. 



Rough-stalked meadow-grass (Poa trivialis) is also an ex- 

 cellent pasture-grass, and thrives well in shade. Its creeping 

 root enables it to stand tramping by stock. As a meadow- 

 grass alone, it is sometimes injured by a hot sun after cut- 

 ting, but when mixed in with a variety of pasture-grasses, 

 it is not injured by cropping in hot weather. 



Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) is a foreign grass, but 

 has become acclimated in this country, is relished by cattle 

 in pasture or as hay grows from three to four feet high in 

 meadow, and has not been as well tested as it should be in 

 pasture. 



Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina) is a pasture-grass much 

 esteemed on dry, sandy and rocky soils, on mountains. 

 It forms the principal part of the sheep-pastures of the 

 highlands of Scotland, where the shepherds have the high- 

 est opinion of its nutritiousness and value for their flocks* 

 The Tartars seek an encampment where this grass is most 

 abundant. There must be many* locations in this country 

 where it will have a high value for pasture. It grows 

 somewhat in bunches. 



Orchard-grass (Dactylis glomerata) is well adapted for 

 pasturage, and on rich, inclining to heavy soils, will pro- 

 duce a large amount of excellent green food. It must be 

 kept eaten close, and not allowed to get large, as it then 

 becomes woody. It springs up very quickly after being 

 eaten off, and will thus afford a constant pasturage through 

 the whole season. This grass is much inclined to grow in 

 tussocks, and leave vacant spaces to be filled by other 

 grasses. 



