SHEEP'S FESCUE. 317 



gi'ass turf, will usually result in establishing the grass 

 in the same. 



Sowing. — The seed may he sown in the spring or 

 in the autumn. When sown on unbroken lands, it is 

 usually sown alone. But it is also sown sometimes 

 with mixtures intended for permanent pastures, and 

 in making lawns. If sown alone to make a lawn, 

 seed would be required at the rate of 2 bushels per 

 acre. To form a dense pasture quickly of Sheep's 

 Fescue alone, would call for about the same amount 

 of seed. When sown in permanent mixtures, it is 

 not usual to sow large quantities of seed, usually not 

 more than 3 or 4 pounds per acre; but there may be 

 instances in which it would be advisable to sow much 

 larger quantities of seed. 



Pasturing. — This grass well withstands close and 

 prolonged pasturing. It has much power to retain 

 its hold upon the soil, and when grown amid other 

 pasture grasses helps to form a dense turf. In the 

 Highlands of Scotland, this grass has helped to furnish 

 grazing for sheep for centuries. 



Harvesting for Hay. — Sheep's Fescue is seldom or 

 never harvested for hay under American conditions. 

 The yields in the form of hay are usually so much 

 less than those of some other hay grass grown in the 

 locality, that hay is seldom sought from the latter. 

 But of course it can be cut for hay. When so cut it. 

 must be handled with many tined forks, because of the 

 shortness and fineness of the product. 



Securing Seed. — The supply of seed is all or nearly 

 all imported. The grass seeds freely in proportion to 

 Grasses — 21. 



