CHAPTER XI 



PERENNIAL GRASSES OF MINOR IMPOR- 

 TANCE 



IT has already been pointed out that a number of 

 grasses agriculturally utilized in Europe are scarcely at all 

 used in America. From the fact that commercial seed is 

 abundant, and from their European reputations, their 

 exact status as regards America is important to the 

 student. Some of them are not at all well adapted to 

 American conditions, while others are useful only in very 

 restricted areas, or on peculiar soils. 



SHEEP'S FESCUE AND CLOSELY RELATED SPECIES 



260. Sheep's fescue and its close relatives form in all 

 probability the most puzzling group of forms of all the 

 grasses. About 70 varieties have been described from 

 Europe alone, and these are variously regarded as forms 

 of one species or of several. All are densely tufted per- 

 ennials with numerous fine, stiff leaves, and slender erect 

 culms usually 12 to 18 inches high, but under very favor- 

 able conditions taller. The following four varieties are 

 used in agriculture : 



Sheep's fescue (Festuca ovina) with folded leaves not 

 broader than thick, .3 to .6 millimeter wide. 



Hard fescue (Festuca ovina duriuscula or Festuca 

 duriuscula) differing from the preceding mainly in 



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