MEADOW FESCUE. 193 



Especially in Europe has it been assigned a prominent 

 place in producing live stock, where the fescues are more 

 numerous and important than in America. The variety 

 pratensis grows usually to the height of about 2 feet. 

 The stems are round and smooth. The panicle is erect 

 and nodding, and somewhat resembles that of chess 

 (Bromus sacalinus). The leaves are fairly numerous and 

 large. The roots are fibrous and go down deeply into 

 the soil, in some instances, it is said, as deeply as those 

 of clover. Compared with this variety Festuca elatior 

 is considerably larger, taller and coarser, sometimes 

 reaching the height of 4 and even 5 feet. The leaves 

 are much longer and broader, some of them attaining 

 the length of 2 feet. The head is more open and less 

 erect, but is more numerously flowered. The roots are 

 stronger and more woody, and the plants grow more in 

 tufts like those of orchard grass. But since the distri- 

 bution of these varieties is about the same and since the 

 conditions of growth are very similar, what follows with 

 reference to distribution and growth may be considered 

 as applying equally to both. 



Meadow fescue grows slowly and takes two or three 

 years to attain to a maximum of production. It does 

 not grow so early or so quickly in the spring as some 

 other grasses, but it continues to grow far on into the 

 autumn and in climates sufficiently mild even into the 

 winter. It comes into bloom a little earlier than tim- 

 othy. Like orchard grass it: has considerable adaptation 

 for growing in shady places. All authorities who have 

 written upon it are agreed that it is an excellent pas- 

 jture grass, because of its ability to grow during much 

 ^Grasses 13. 



