F. ELATIOR, L., TALL MEADOW FESCUE. 129 



those of meadow fescue or perennial rye-grass, and most of those 

 sold for meadow fescue are all seeds of rye-grass, or they are very 

 extensively adulterated with those of rye -grass, to the extent of 

 fifty to ninety per cent. 



In the words of James Hunter, a seedsman of England : "So 

 closely to the naked eye do the seeds of meadow fescue resemble 

 the seeds of perennial rye-grass, that abundant opportunities for 

 adulteration are afforded and are certainly not neglected. The 

 fact that the average price of perennial rye-grass is only about 

 one-fourth or one-fifth that of meadow fescue, sufficiently ex- 

 plains the motives of those who mix these seeds." 



The writer knows well that the frequent adulteration of the 

 seeds of meadow fescue is one of the chief causes why so little is 

 raised in this country. A farmer not knowing either grass, orders 

 seed of this one and gets seeds of rye-grass, which produce plants 

 not satisfactory to his needs. This is one of the five grasses 

 recommended by Mr. De Laune, of England, for permanent 

 pastures and meadows, the others being tall fescue, orchard grass, 

 Timothy, and meadow foxtail. His valuable experience is noticed 

 under the head of "testing seeds," and "what to sow." 



The writer at present would advise no one to buy seeds of 

 meadow or tall fescue unless he is a good botanist or employs 

 a good botanist to examine the seeds for its Identity. 



For the South, Prof. Phares thinks " Kandall, evergreen 

 grass, or meadow fescue is a magnificent winter grass; in fact 

 it may be grazed from September till June. Or taking stock 

 off in April, it will make a large crop of seed, and a heavy 

 crop of hay, as the seeds mature while the stems and leaves 

 are still green. This may be made to yield two to four tons 

 of hay per acre and of high nutritive rank. It grows well on 

 wet or dry bottoms, hillsides and tops, gravelly and loamy 



FIG. 65.-Festucii elatior, L. (Taller Fescue); Part of plant, a, spikelet enlarged; ft, 

 floret enlargMl.-fScribner.) 



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