MEADOW FESCUE 



147 



Meadow Fescue. — Meadow fescue {Festuca elatior), also 

 called English bluegrass, and formerly- 

 known to botanists as F. pratensis, is a 

 tufted, smooth perennial grass which 

 grows from i^ to 4 feet tall. The tuft 

 is characteristic in being more spread- 

 ing, loose, and open in habit than that 

 of most bunchgrasses. The leaves have 

 the appearance of those of Kentucky 

 bluegrass but are more stiff and wiry. 

 The panicle is narrow, flat, and some- 

 what contracted (Fig. 47). Meadow 

 fescue was introduced into the United 

 States from Europe about 1850. It is 

 grown most successfully at the present 

 time in the corn belt region, notably in 

 Missouri and Kansas. 



The amount of forage produced is not 

 large, but the grass is rich in nutrients 

 and is relished highly by stock both as 

 pasture and as hay. If it is to be har- 

 vested as hay, the cutting should be 

 early, for otherwise the leafage is some- 

 what tough and wiry. Under favorable 

 conditions an excellent aftermath of 

 pasture leafage is produced, and this re- 

 mains green and tender until late in the 

 fall. 



In general, meadow fescue is not so 

 valuable a plant as orchardgrass or 

 smooth bromegrass. When used either 

 for pasture or as a hay plant, meadow 

 fescue is not long-lived. 



In planting meadow fescue, it is best 

 to plow the land and establish a good 

 seed bed. About 30 pounds of seed to 

 the acre will usually be sufficient to produce a good stand. 



Fig. 47. — MEADOW FESCUE 



(Fesluca elatior). 



