V 



32 



The above details confirm the favourable opinion which most writers have exp 



.„ . .... '^^'*5ssed 



respecting this grass. It is most prevalent on hght rich soils, but it is, likewise, always found 

 in the richest natural pastures, where the soil is more retentive of moisture, and is never absent 

 from irrigated meadows that have been properly formed. It appears to be one of the best of 

 the fine, or dwarf-growing grasses, which are best adapted for the food of sheep, as the Festuca 

 ovina, Festuca rubra, Poa pratensis, Agrostis vulgaris, &c. Hares are fond of this grass, they 

 cropped it close to the roots, and entirely neglected the Festuca rubra and Festuca ovma, wliich 

 grew contiguous to it. It attains to the greatest perfection when combined with the^ Festuca 

 pratensis and Poa trivialis. It springs rather early, and the produce is remarkably fine and 

 succulent. It withstands the effects of severe dry weather in rich natural pastures better than 

 many other grasses. This property, joined to its merits above-mentioned, entitle it to a place 

 in the composition of the best pastures, though in a smaller proportion, on account of itsinfe- 

 rior productive powers, which are not compensated by any superiority in the nutritive qualities 

 of the grass over those grasses that are more productive, as is the case with the Poa trivialis 

 and some other species. 



The superiority of these natural pastures, over those pastures which are formed of one 

 two grasses only, in respect of a constant or never-failing supply of herbage tliroughout the 

 season, is In one point, among many others, owing to the variety of habits which exist in a nu- 

 merous assemblage of different grasses. Some species thrive best in an excess of moist weath 



T 



i , 



or 



^er: 



others. In a continuance of dry weather ; but the majority of the grasses which compose the 

 produce of the pastures in question, thrive best in a middle state between moisture and dry- 

 ness. Observation will furnish abundant proofs of the truth of this, by comparing the different 

 states of productiveness in natural pastures, during a season of changeable Aveather, with those 

 <>f artificial pastures under the like influence of soil and climate. It flowers about the middle of 

 June, and ripens the seed in the third week of July. 



Festuca cambrica, Welsh Fescue. 



Specif c character: Panicle compact, oblong, upright, branched, spikets awl-shaped, a^ned, 

 leaves flat. 



0^..-This species (or constant variety, if you will) Is distinguished at first sight from the Fes- 



tuea ovrna, Festuca rubra, and Festuca durinscula, by the pale green colour of the pan., 

 and cu m. fhe root leaves grow more upright and flat; when cultivated, the spikets con- 

 s.st of 10 or n florets. Stipul. membraneous, blunt. CWither.J 

 Ivoot fibrous. Perennial. 



Kvperimenfs. 



■At the time of flowering, the produce from a sand^ soil, is. 



Grass, 10 oz. The produce per acre 



80 dr. of grass weigh when dry 



The produce of the space, dittto 



The weight lost by the produce of one acre in drying 



64 dr. of grass afford of nutritive matter 



The produce of the space, ditto 



dr. qr. 



oz. 



34 



68 



103900 

 46282 8 



2 

 5 



3828 8 



lbs. 



6806 4 



2892 10 8 



3913 9 8 



239 4 8 



/ 



