MEADOW FESCUE-GKASS. 439 



It is one of the grasses recommended to be sown in perma- 

 nent lawn-pastures, to the extent of 1 Ib. per imperial acre. A 

 bushel of the seeds averages 13| lb., and the number of seeds 

 in an ounce is about 64,000. 



Several natural varieties of Festuca ovina are pointed out, 

 the chief of which have been named Festuca hirsuta, Festuca 

 vivipara, Festuca angustifolia, and Festuca ccesia. 



The plant called meadow fescue-grass has several names 

 among botanists. Some unite it with Festuca elatior, others 

 with Festuca loliacea. Parnell makes it Bucetum pratense. In 

 Lawson's Catalogue it is the Festuca pratensis. It is a fibrous- 

 rooted perennial. It grows from fifteen inches to two feet 

 high. It flowers in the last week of June, and ripens its seed 

 about the beginning of August. Its limit of altitude is about 

 500 feet above the sea-level. It grows in rich meadows and 

 pastures. It combines many of the valuable properties without 

 the defects of the rye-grass (Lolium perenne). It will thrive 

 well on most soils, and is much relished by all descriptions of 

 cattle. According to Mr Sinclair, " the meadow fescue-grass 

 constitutes a very considerable portion of the herbage of all 

 rich natural pastures and irrigated meadows ; it makes excellent 

 hay, and though a large plant, the leaves of the herbage are 

 succulent and tender, and apparently much liked by cattle, as 

 they never form rank tufts, which is the case with the larger 

 grasses. It does not appear to arrive at its full productive 

 powers from seed so soon as either the cock's-foot or fox-tail 

 grass ; and though essential for permanent pasture, it is not by 

 itself very well adapted for alternate husbandry, but should 

 be combined with cock's-foot, rye-grass, and rough-stalked 

 meadow-grass. It is of greater value at the time of flowering 

 than at the time the seeds are ripe as three to one. In the 

 deep alluvial soils in Lincolnshire, this grass is not so pre- 

 valent as in the clay districts. In the vale of Aylesbury it 



