212 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



found on high, dry, poor, sandy soil, and it is generally 

 considered that where it grows such soil is healthy for 

 sheep. The leaf is very fine and slender, and the plant 

 forms a close turf. The fescues are divided into two 

 groups, narrow and broad leaved ; Sheep's Fescue is the 

 type of narrow-leaved fescues. 



Habd Fescue, Festuca duriuscida (Fig. 58). — This is an 

 excellent forage plant, both for pasture and hay. For 

 pasture purposes it is appreciated by all stock, particularly 

 sheep. It is said that hay in which it is found is generally 

 of superior quality. It is a wonderfully hardy grass, and 

 resists drought. 



Meadow Fescue, Festuca pratensis (Fig. 59). — This is the 

 type of broad-leaved fescues. By some it is considered 

 the most valuable of all grasses, not only on account of its 

 use in the pasture, but also from its excellent yield of hay. 

 It thrives best on a moist soil, and is perfectly adapted 

 for irrigated meadows. 



Tall Fescue, Festuca clatior (Fig. 60). — This grass 

 may grow to a height of six feet, and from its coarse- 

 ness is considered by some as unfit for hay. It yields 

 largely, and is best suited to damp soils, especially water- 

 courses. 



Italian Eye Grass, Lolium italicum (Fig. 61). — This is 

 a heavily-yielding, highly nutritious grass, much appreci- 

 ated by herbivora, especially dairy stock. It gives an 

 excellent flavour to both milk and butter. It is a biennial, 

 and is therefore unfit for permanent pastures, and is 

 exclusively employed for alternate husbandry. Under the 

 influence of liquid manures it yields abundantly, and in all 

 circumstances it requires a damp soil. 



Peebnnial Eye Geass, Lolium perenne (Fig. 62) . — This is 

 a smaller plant than Italian, essentially suited for pasture 

 purpose. Treading by live stock does it no harm, in fact, 

 appears to encourage its spread. It is more valuable as a 

 pasture than as a hay grass, but always requires a generous 

 soil. By some its nutritive properties have been placed 

 next to Foxtail. 



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