26 ON THE CULTIVATED GRASSES 



purpose for which E. arenarius is generally employed, and for which its creeping matted 

 roots fit it in an eminent degree, is for binding loose sands, and thus to repel the encroach- 

 ments of the sea, and to prevent the adjoining cultivated land from being overspread by 

 a sandy deposit. It is so used in several parts of Britain, but more extensively on the 

 shores of Holland. The best method- of cultivating this grass will be found described at 

 page 2 1 of the present Treatise. 



14. Elymus geniculatus (Knee-Jointed, or Pendulous Sea Lyme Grass). Fr. Ely me 

 pendant; Ger. Hdngender Strandhafer. Spikes long and slender, often jointed or bent 

 down as if broken ; perennial ; grows naturally on sandy sea shores, but is not common on 

 those of Britain. This plant bears a considerable resemblance to the E. arenarius, but 

 differs in its foliage being narrower, and in its spikes, as well as general habit, being more 

 loose or open ; its roots are also less spreading. In addition to being useful for similar 

 purposes with the other, its large oat-like seeds afford good food for wild-fowl ; and, from 

 growing in large tufts, to the height of from four to six feet, on almost any sort of soil, it 

 may be beneficially employed as a cover for game, especially in rabbit warrens, and sandy 

 or gravelly links. 



15. Festuca duriuscula (Hard Fescue Grass). Fr. Fetuque durette; Ger. Harter 

 Schwingel. Stem-leaves broader and more flattened than the root ones, which are rounded 

 or wire-shaped; root perennial, somewhat creeping, and throwing out lateral shoots occa- 

 sionally ; flowers in June and July ; height from one and a half to two feet. The Hard 

 Fescues may be classed amongst the best native grasses for general purposes. It will thrive 

 on a great variety of soils, and produce a greater weight of fodder than might be expected 

 from its comparative dwarf habit of growth, and is found to resist the effect of severe 

 drought in summer, and to retain its verdure during winter in a remarkable degree. It con- 

 stitutes a great portion of the best natural pastures in the country, especially where the 

 soil is light and dry. From the fineness of its foliage and greenness in winter, it is well 

 adapted for sowing in parks and pleasure-grounds, and for sheep pasture; but for short grass 

 to be kept under the scythe, it should, from its wiry nature, enter sparingly into the mixture. 



16. Pestuca elatior (Tall Meadow Fescue). Fr. Fetiique roseau ; Ger. Hoher Wiesen- 

 Schwingel. This species may be easily distinguished from F.pratensis by being much larger 

 (nearly double) in all its parts. It is perennial and fibrous-rooted, somewhat creeping, and 

 forming large tufts ; grows from three to five feet high ; flowers in July. Is found naturally 

 on moist superior soils, in waste places, by the banks of rivers, in shady places, and even 

 on the rocky coasts of the sea. It is rather a coarse-like grass, but may be sown either for 

 hay or parmenent pasture, on moist soils, shady places, &c., where the elevation does not 

 exceed 400 feet. Yields an abundant crop, and, notwithstanding its seeming coarseness, 

 is relished by cattle generally, and is found valuable for those damp soils that cannot be 

 made sufficiently dry for the cultivation of the more valuable grasses. 



17. Pestuca gigantea (Giant Wood Fescue or Brome Grass). Fr. Fetuque geante ; 

 Ger. Riesen-Schwingel. Leaves long, very broad, ribbed, and of a vivid green colour ; roots 

 fibrous, perennial, somewhat creeping; height four to five feet; flowers in July and 

 August. In a natural state, where it grows in woods, this grass is rarely found. It yields 

 an immense bulk of herbage, but is not relished by domesticated cattle, except in a dry 

 state and mixed with other grasses. Its nutritive value is small, and its cultivation can 

 only be considered advisable in land too thickly shaded by trees for the growth of better 

 kinds ; and in places where its coarse luxuriant herbage and large seeds may render it 

 desirable as a game cover. The seeds are much sought after by small birds. 



