en 



S2 



m 



^ 



This species of fescue is very much like the rye-grass in appearance ; it likewise affects the 

 same kind of soil as Rye-grass. Some Botanists have supposed it to be a hybrid, the joint pro- 

 duce of the Lolium perenne, (rye-grass), and Festuca fiuitans, (flote fescue) ; but the time wh 

 the rye-grass, ( Lolium perenne) , comes into flower, is nearer to that in which the Meadow Fescue 

 CFestuca pratensisj is in flower than the Flote Fescue ; the soil and habits of the two former 



grasses are likewise more similar. 



From the above details, it appears that this species of fescue is much superior to Rye-grass i 

 point of produce. The following comparison of the quantity of nutritive matter afforded by th, 

 produce of one acre, will shew the degree of superiority, 



4 



Lolium perenne, rye-grass, affords, 



lbs. lbs. 



Of nutritive matter, from the produce of one acre, at the time of flowering 305 11 15 



Of nutritive matter, from the produce of one acre, at the time the seed is ripe 643 6 7^ 1002 5 2 



Of nutritive matter, from the produce of latter-math - - ^ - 53 2 12 



in 



Festuca loliacea, darnel-like fescue, affords, 



' ■ r 



Of nutritive matter, from the produce of one acre, of the flowering, seed, and latter- 



math crops, as above 



1385 4 7 



The weight of nutritive matter, in which one acre of the darnel-like fescue exceeds that of 



the Lolium perenne^ or rye-grass, is 



382 15 5 



Or in tlie proportion nearly of 4 to 3. v 



I ^^ 



This grass likewise springs earlier than the Rye-grass, and improves by age, which is not 

 the case with Rye-grass, as it decreases in value, with respect to produce and early growth, after 

 the fourth year of its being sown, while the Darnel-like Fescue improves in these properties 

 after that period of growth. Unfortunately, however, this gi\nss does not perfect its seed, the 

 flowers generally proving abortive, which renders its cultivation, or rather, propagation, incon- 

 venient and expensive. By parting the roots, and transplanting them, it might readily be propa- 

 gated; but its merits hardly warrant the practice. 



July. 



(if any) 



y 

 + 



Festuca glabra. Smooth Fescue. 



i 



Specific character : Panicle branched, upright, compact; spikets spear-shaped, 4-6 flowered, 

 smooth, awned. Root fibrous. 



Oi^5.— This is nearly allied to the Festuca duriuscilJa; it dilFers in having the awns longer, 

 panicle branches, and spikets smoother; spikets shining, root and leaves much longer. This 

 is, according to Dr. Smith, a variety of the Festuca rubra; but the roots are fibrous and 

 not creeping, which characterises the varieties of the Festuca rubra. To the Agriculturist 

 the distinction, creeping root, is sufficient to guide him in this instance, as the varieties of 

 the creeping-rooted species are all to be rejected as unfit for cultivation ; and among the 

 fibrous-rooted varieties of the Festuca duriuscula, there is not so great a difFereace in their 



I 



