194 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



of the year, because of its ability to withstand condi- 

 tions, wet and dry, warm and cold, because of the con- 

 siderable degree of palatability which it possesses and 

 because its nutritive properties rank at least fairly 

 high. Because of its permanency in conjunction 

 with the good qualities named, it should be given 

 a foremost place among grasses sown for permanent 

 pasture. It ranks high, also, as a hay plant. Amid 

 suitable conditions it furnishes a large amount of good 

 hay that is much relished by live stock, but when 

 grown for hay it is more commonly as a factor in the 

 crop than as the sole crop, owing to the considerable 

 period which it requires to attain to a maximum of de- 

 velopment, it is better adapted to meadows of a con- 

 siderable degree of permanency than to those of short 

 duration. The variety elatior is less Avell adapted for 

 producing hay because of the coarse character of the 

 stems and leaves and of the tendency which it has to 

 tussock, but it is thought that it produces more pasture 

 than the other variety. 



Meadow fescue is relished by all kinds of domestic 

 animals and is very suitable for them. In America, 

 however, it is not grown very often alone except for 

 seed, hence its productive value for pasture or hay has 

 not been so fully determined as that of some other 

 grasses. From Kentucky and Virginia southward, its 

 relative value for winter grazing is even greater than for 

 summer grazing owing to the fresh and succulent char- 

 acter of the pasture which it furnishes at that season. 



Distribution. — [Meadow fescue is indigenous to Eu- 

 rope and western Asia. It is much grown in Great 



