Re the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Show.

Otago Witness, Issue 2104, 21 June 1894, Page 12

Re the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Show.

THE SOD OF "CHEWINQ'S FESCUE " TWENTY YEARS OLD. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — This must be a wonderful production, considering that the name " ChewiDgs's Fescue" has only been known in connection with fescues for about six years. Such a statement being circulated through the papers is misleading to would-be buyers of a pure strain of seed. The fescues have been freely discussed by so many " knowing ones," and each grower has the only pure strain of seed, that further comment is quite unnecessary. Several of the best authorities on grasses have been asked to name the particular kind of fescue that I grow, and invariably differ. Some pronounce it hard fescue, others red fescue, and so on — a plain . proof that it is either changed by climatic influence, the soil, or perhaps it is a strain of fescue not named. Of course some knowing ones know at once what is is, pronounce it hard fescue, buy some imported seed and start growing "Chewings's fescue."

Mr Rich and many others have devoted a great deal of time and money in trying to name Che grass correctly. Mr Rich thought he had succeeded, and went so far as to import a great quantity of hard fescue from England and Germany. The result was not at all satisfactory, and he pronounces the true Chewings's fescue quite different and far superior to the imported. I don't want " would-be buyera " to conclude that I am the only grower of the seed known as " Chewings's Fescue." Some others have, and are now growing it from pure strain ; but a would-be buyer would need to use discretion before investing, or he might find himself landed with ' ' Chewings's Fescue " seed grown from the sod, 14 years older than the strain of seed that beats the name "Chewing's Fescue." — I am, &c, Mossburn, June 18 George Chewings.