210 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



OTHER FESCUES 



236. Tall fescue. Tall fescue differs from meadow 

 fescue, mainly in being 6 to 12 inches taller, in its some- 

 what looser panicles and in its resistance to rust. The 

 seeds of the two are quite indistinguishable, but those of 

 tall fescue command a much higher price. From limited 

 experiments in Kansas and in Washington, tall fescue 

 appears to yield only half as much seed as meadow fescue. 

 The culms are comparatively few and the seeds ripen 

 unevenly. Owing to its rust resistance, it may replace 

 meadow fescue, especially as it yields larger crops of hay 

 and the seed commands a higher price. 



At the Ohio Experiment Station tall fescue produced 

 in four years on one-twentieth acre plots an average yield 

 of 4870 pounds of hay per acre. 



237. Reed fescue (Festuca arundinacea) . Reed fescue 

 is native to Europe, North Africa and western Siberia. 

 It is more variable than its close relative, F. elatior, about 

 twelve varieties being botanically distinguished in Europe. 



By some botanists it is considered a variety of meadow 

 fescue. It is, however, a larger and coarser plant in every 

 way. It is perhaps most easily distinguished from tall 

 fescue by the upper part of the culm, the lower sheaths 

 and upper surface of the stiffer leaves being very scabrous. 



The seed is indistinguishable from tall fescue and it is 

 sometimes sold for that by unscrupulous dealers. 



Reed fescue has from time to time been extravagantly 

 praised, but has nowhere attained any definite agricultural 

 status. 



It produces large yields of hay, which is said to be readily 

 eaten by horses and cows. Sheep, however, refuse it, 

 both as pasturage and as hay. So far as growth and seed 



