48 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



grasses flourish under the same conditions, except that the 

 Fescue scarcely stands heat so well as Foxtail. For practical 

 purposes I am inclined to regard Festuca pratensis as the 

 better grass, especially as the germination of the seed is more 

 reliable, and experiments have shown its decided superiority 

 in bulk. Up to the time of ripening seed an acre produced 

 209 pounds more nutritive matter than did an acre of Foxtail 

 in the whole year. The early gi-owth of INIeadow Fescue is 

 not large by comparison, but before the end of June it leaves 

 Foxtail far behind. After the crop of the latter has passed its 

 prime, the former continues to grow, and thus maintains a 

 supply of herbage which would otherwise be wanting in the 

 pasture. At the time hay is cut Cocksfoot is superior in bulk, 

 but Meadow Fescue largely atones for the deficiency by its 

 increased production afterwards. 



Stock show a marked preference for Meadow Fescue over 

 Cocksfoot, if the latter is allowed to grow the least old. The 

 one is invariably eaten down close ; the other is frequently 

 permitted to develop into large tufts and send up wiry culms 

 which the animals refuse to touch. Horses also eat Festuca 

 pratensis greedily, and seed should always be sown for their 

 benefit on suitable land, especially as the paddocks are often 

 within sight of the mansion, where constant verdure is desir- 

 able. 



All points considered, this may properly be regarded as 

 one of the most valuable grasses that can be sown. 



The following characteristics will help to determine this 

 species in the absence of the flowering panicle : Sheath 

 smooth, reddish purple at base ; young leaves involute (rolled) 

 in bud ; ligule very short, obtuse, surrounded by a well- 

 marked auricle ; blade glossy on lower surface. 



At Rothamsted, Meadow Fescue did not show to 

 advantage. It occasionally manifests rather unexpected 

 antipathies as to soil, and in some locaUties is starved out ot 

 pastures by other grasses. Nitrate of soda and mineral 



