50 THE GRASSES—SHEEP'S FESCUES. 



other hand, is free from Fog, but sometimes contains 

 seeds of Dock, &c. French seed is worst of any in the 

 matter of impurities, containing, it might almost be 

 said, a little of all sorts. 



At Wdburn Cocksfoot produced green food per acre — 



T. cwts. qrs. lbs. 



At time of flowering . . . . 12 9 o 17 

 Which gave of hay . . . .5600 



THE SHEEP'S FESCUES. 



Some Continental authorities comprise under the 

 heading of Sheep's Fescues aU those sub-species and 

 varieties that grow in compact tufts, and increase by 

 lateral intra-vaginal shoots. Of those sub-species and 

 varieties as many as eight are specified; while of the 

 creeping-rooted Fescues (such as F. rubra and its sub- 

 species and varieties) six are specified. 



Of the Sheep's Fescues there are only two that have 

 importance from an agricultural point of view, viz., 

 F. ovina var vulgaris, and F. ovina var duriuscula. In 

 commerce, with the exception of fine-leaved Sheep's 

 Fescue, we cannot tell by ordinary examination of the 

 seed which sub-species or variety that particular sample 

 of seed belongs to. It may belong to one of the Sheep's 

 Fescues, or it may be seed of Eed Fescue or of F.fallwx, 

 or F. Heterophylla. The latter seed is the longest and 

 largest of the lot — but the size of the seed is no certain 

 guide. Seeds as well as plants vary in size according 

 to soil and situation, and, for that matter, each plant of 



