OUR PASTURE GRASSES 



13 



hard, and decreases in value. Good seed has about 95 percent, of purity 

 and germination, some 41 lbs. being required per acre. Cultivated alone 

 only for seed-production, Meadow fescue is a most valuable ingredient of 

 mixtures for permanent pastures and alternate husbandry, though not adapted 

 for " clover-grass," or very short leys. Stebler says that for irrigated lands 

 and for meadows it can form 20 per cent., or even more, of the whole 

 mixture ; and for short leys, rarely more than 1 5 per cent. It benefits from 

 applications of farm-yard manure. 



Sheep's Fescue-Grass {Fesiuca ovind). — Perennial, of compact and 

 dense tufted growth ; flowering early in June ; and ripening seed about the 

 middle of July. Though comparatively very small in size and yield. Sheep's 

 fescue possesses the important and valuable qualification of thriving on poor 

 sands and in dry, rocky pastures, where other fodder grasses do not grow, 

 while its root-system is so ex- 

 tensive as to materially improve 

 the land. It flourishes on 

 silicious and shallow soils, 

 dying out in wet situations ; 

 resists extremes of drought and 

 cold ; yields hay of medium 

 quality ; attains to its maximum 

 in the second and third years, 

 giving only an insignificant pro- 

 duce the first, and commencing 

 to deteriorate the third, season. 

 Cattle do not care for its herb- 

 age, which, if grazing be not 

 commenced early, soon becomes 

 so hard as to be disliked even 

 by sheep, which otherwise eat 

 it readily. During favourable 

 seasons it continues to grow 

 until the winter. At the time 

 of flowering, Sinclair obtained 

 5,445 lbs. of green fodder, with 

 an aftermath of 3,403 lbs., from 

 an acre of light sandy loam ; 

 while Burger secured 1,280 lbs. of hay per acre. The seed is easily harvested, 

 and is consequently cheap, but it is sometimes adulterated with those of Wavy 

 mountain hair-grass (Aira flexuosa) and Purple Melic-grass {Molinia cceruled). 

 Good commercial qualities should have 90 per cent, of germination and purity, 

 about 1 5'5 lbs. being required per acre. As the tufted habit of the plant unfits 

 it for sowing alone, Stebler recommends, for use in conjunction with it. Kidney- 

 vetch {Anthyllis vulnerarid) on very poor soils, and White clover, Smooth- 

 stalked meadow-grass and, perhaps, Timothy for better sandy lands. Used 

 sometimes in small proportions to form " bottom-grass " for permanent and 

 temporary pastures on good soils, it occupies the place of more productive 

 varieties in such situations, its great value lying in its desirability for grazing 

 on light, dry lands. Its slender, dark green foliage and close growth adapt 

 it for lawns and ornamental grounds. A manured soil is beneficial. 



Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue-Grass {Festuca ovina tenuifolid). — A 

 densely tufted perennial grass, only suitable to sow with other varieties as a 

 " bottom-grass " for ornamental purposes, on lawns, etc., especially in shady 



Sheep's Fescue-Gkass. 

 {Festnca ovina.) 



