CHAP. I. 



MEADOW FESCUE GRASS. 



901 



fescue. Inasmuch as a pound of meadow fescue seed costs from six 

 to ten times as much as a pound of rye grass seed, it is needless to 

 point out the direct pecuniary value of such knowledge. 



Meadow fescue (fig. 387) is a valuable constituent both of meadows 

 and of pastures, though recent investigations have shown it to be much 

 rarer in old pastures than was commonly supposed. Owing to its 

 perennial character, it is useful in mixtures of seeds intended to esta- 

 blish permanent pasture. In suitable soils it is almost indifferent 

 alike to winter cold and to late frosts. It is rather a deep-rooting 

 plant, and thrives best on damp clayey or marshy soils ; it is an 

 admirable grass for irrigated meadows, but, on the other hand, has 

 not much capacity for withstanding drought. Its habit of growth is 

 in compact tufts, from which, in favourable situations, the stems 



Nat. size 



Fig. 387. Meadow Fescue. 



Festuca prateusis. 



Fig. 388. "Seed" of 

 Festuca pratensis 



(Meadow Fescue). 



Front and side views, 

 magnified 7 diameters. 



rise to a height of from 2 to 3 feet, and are furnished with long broad 

 leaves. But if the soil is dry, thin, and poor in humus, the plant 

 becomes dwarfed and the leaves become short and narrow. It develops 

 less rapidly than certain other familiar species, and does not yield 

 its full produce till the second or third year after sowing ; thus, from 

 a given area Vianne obtained only 335 Ib. during the first year, and as 

 much as 650 Ib. during the second. It re-commences its growth fairly 

 early in spring, but flowers somewhat later than cocksfoot and foxtail. 

 It should, if possible, be cut before it is in full flower, as, after this 

 period, its fibres harden very rapidly. The second cut is less abundant 

 than the first. Unless when cultivated for its seed, meadow fescue is 

 never sown alone. As it does not arrive at its full yield till the second 

 or third year, it is never associated with clovers for one or two years' 

 ley. For irrigated meadows and for permanent pasture it may be 

 employed to the extent of 20 per cent, of the mixture, or even more, 

 but for temporary meadows it rarely constitutes more than 15 per cent. 



