The Botanists Companion, Vol. II | Page 5

probably pendula. And he is of opinion that the seeds may be sown to
advantage. Be this as may, the observation can only apply to situations

in the north of Britain, where he has seen them wild; in this part of the
island we have a number of kinds much better adapted to soil, climate,
and fodder.

16. DACTYLIS glomerata. ROUGH COCK'S-FOOT-GRASS.--Has a
remarkable rough coarse foliage, and is of little account as a grass for
the hay-stack; but from its early growth and great produce it is now
found to be a useful plant, and is the only grass at this time known that
will fill up the dearth experienced by graziers from the time turnips are
over until the meadows are fit for grazing. Every sheep-farm should be
provided with a due portion of this on the land; but no more should be
grown than is wanted for early feed, and what can be kept closely eaten
down all the season. If it is left to get up it forms large tufts, and
renders the field unsightly, and scarcely any animal will eat it when
grown old or when dried in the form of hay. The seed is to be bought;
two bushels per acres is sown usually alone.

17. FESTUCA elatior. TALL FESCUE-GRASS.--This in its wild state
has been considered as a productive and nutritive grass; it grows best in
moist places; but the seeds have been found in general abortive, and the
grass consequently only to be propagated by planting the roots, a
trouble by far too great to succeed to any extent.--See Poa aquatica.

18. FESTUCA duriuscula. HARD FESCUE-GRASS.--A very excellent
grass both for green fodder and hay, and would be well worth
cultivating; but the seeds have not hitherto been saved in any quantity.
I have seen a meadow near Bognor where it formed the principal part
of the herbage; and it was represented to me by the owner as the best
meadow in the neighbourhood, and the hay excellent [Footnote: Mr.
Curtis observes that this grass grows thin on the ground after a time. I
have sometimes observed this to be the case in the Botanic Garden, but
it is otherwise in its native state of growth. Nothing stands the dry

weather better, or makes a more firm sward.].
The seeds of this grass are small, and about one bushel would sow an
acre of ground.

19. FESTUCA rubra. RED or CREEPING FESCUE-GRASS.--A fine
grass, very like duriuscula; but it is not common in this part of the
country; it grows plentifully on the mountains in Wales.
It does not produce fertile seeds with us in the garden.

20. FESTUCA pratensis. MEADOW FESCUE-GRASS.--No plant
whatever deserves so much the attention of the graziers as this grass. It
has been justly esteemed by Mr. Curtis and all other persons practically
acquainted with the produce of our meadows. It will grow in almost
any soil that is capable of sustaining a vegetable, from the banks of
rivulets to the top of the thin-soiled calcareous hills, where it produces
herbage equal to any other plant of the kind; and all descriptions of
cattle eat it, and are nourished by the food. The plant is of easy culture,
as it yields seeds very abundantly, and they grow very readily. I have
made some excellent meadows with this seed, which after a trial of ten
years are now equal to any in the kingdom. The culture of the seed
selected is now nearly lost, which is a misfortune, I had almost
ventured to say a disgrace, to our agriculture.
If the farmer could get his land fit for meadow laid down with one
bushel of this seed, one bushel of Alopecurus pratensis, three pounds of
Anthoxanthum, and a little Bromus mollis, with Clover, I will venture
to predict experience will induce him to say, "I will seek no further."

21. FESTUCA ovina.--SHEEP'S FESCUE-GRASS.--This is very
highly spoken of in all dissertations that have hitherto been written on
the merits of our grasses; but its value must be confined to alpine
situations, for its diminutive size added to its slow growth renders it in

my opinion very inferior to the duriuscula. In fact, I am of opinion that
these are often confounded together, and the merits of the former
applied to this, although they are different in many respects. Those who
wish to obtain more of its history may consult Stillingfleet's
Observations on Grasses, p. 384.

22. FESTUCA vivipara. VIVIPAROUS FESCUE-GRASS.--This
affords a striking instance of the protection that Nature has contrived
for keeping up the regular produce of the different species of plants; as
when the Festuca ovina is found in very high mountainous situations,
places not congenial to the ripening seeds of so