1 4 



PASTURES AND PASTURE PLANTS 



CHAP. 



places, where its fine foliage maintains its dark green colour during very hot 

 and dry weather. 



Hard Fescue-Grass {Festuca ovina, var. duriuscula). — Perennial, of tufted 

 growth ; flowering in June ; and ripening seed about the middle of July. The 

 principal agricultural difference between this grass and ordinary Sheep's fescue 

 is its greater productiveness. It flourishes in almost all soils and situations, 

 thriving alike in light, dry land and irrigated meadows ; resists drought better 

 than many varieties ; endures shade ; retains its verdure during the most 

 severe winter weather ; is relished by sheep, and not disliked by cattle ; and 

 is one of the most valuable of the dwart-growing "bottom-grasses." Vianne 

 obtained 4,180 lbs. of hay per acre ; and Sinclair records a yield, at the time 



SSfe 



''7^-^Mr^^'0.. 



Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue-Grass. 

 {Festuca ovina ienuifolia.') 



Hard Fescue-Grass. 

 {Fesiiica duriuscula ) 



of flowering, of 18,376 lbs. of green, or 8,269 ^bs. of dried, fodder, with an 

 aftermath of 10,209 Ib^., from an acre of manured clayey loam. The latter 

 authority observes that it attains to its greatest perfection when combined 

 with Meadow fescue-grass and Rough-stalked meadow-grass. Good com- 

 mercial samples should have 90 per cent, of germination and purity, about 

 15 '5 lbs. of seed being required per acre. It is adapted for use as recom- 

 mended for Sheep's fescue-grass, and it is also desirable for parks and 

 recreation-grounds. Hares are very partial to its foliage ; and since it grows 

 under trees, it is suitable for game preserves. 



The Hard Fescue-grass of commerce is a robust variety of the common 

 Sheep's fescue-grass, determined by Hackel as Festuca ovina, ai-ovina vulgaris 

 firmula ; and not infrequently the seed of Tufted red fescue-grass (Festuca 

 fallax) is offered as Festuca duriuscula. 



