6 CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM. 



ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. 



Several of the species of Festuca are of high agricultural value, both 

 for grazing and for meadows. Among the former perhaps the most 

 important is Festuca ovina^ the sheep fescue, and its numerous sub- 

 species, some of which are found native in most parts of the world. 

 The most valuable American grass of this group is probably Festuca 

 ovina ingraia Hackel, the "blue bunch grass" of stockmen, which 

 ranges from British Columbia and Alberta to California and Colorado. 

 In parts of the range country, notably the Columbia Basin, it is con- 

 sidered the second best of the range grasses. In Arizona and New 

 Mexico this grass is replaced b}^ the larger and coarser, but not less 

 nutritious, Arizona bunch grass, F. ovina arlzonica (Yasey) Hack. 

 Other subspecies of Festuca ovina occur in alpine and subarctic 

 regions, and furnish more or less abundant forage. 



Festuca ruhra L., the red fescue, occurs in abundance along both 

 sea coasts in sandy soil, and in the West is plentiful in the mountains 

 at low altitudes. In restricted areas it is an important forage grass. 



Festuca altaica Trin. is abundant in Alaska, often covering large 

 areas with its large tussocks. From very limited experience with it 

 this grass seems to be quite as nutritious as its near allies. 



Festuca viridula Vasey is the most nutritious grass in the mountain 

 parks of the Cascade, Blue, and Bitter Root mountains. It often 

 occupies large areas in nearl}^ pure growth. Unfortunately it is 

 unable to withstand severe grazing, and consequently where sheep 

 have been herded this grass has well-nigh disappeared. 



The annual species, especially Festuca octojlora, are of considerable 

 value in semiarid grazing regions. They spring up very quickly when 

 the rainy season begins in the fall, furnishing grazing when nothing 

 else is available, and again in early spring they provide the first green 

 forage. 



Festuca elatior L. , the tall fescue, a European species, is very valu- 

 able as a hay and pasture grass, but in this country is little grown 

 as yet, except in the eastern portion of Kansas and Nebraska. A 

 smaller form of it, the meadow fescue, used only in pastures and 

 lawns, is sometimes known in this country as English bluegrass, or, 

 technically, as Festuca pratensis Huds. or Festuca, elatior pratensis Gray. 

 According to the best European authorities, however, F. elatior L. 

 and F. pratensis Huds. are exactly identical, so that, whatever be the 

 distinction of the two forms agriculturally^ the botanical names both 

 belong with tall fescue. 



