44 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



page 160. Both were grown alongside in light soil under 

 similar treatment. 



When not in flower Tall Fescue may be recognised by the 

 following characteristics of the herbage. Upper surface of 

 the deep green leaf very prominently ribbed, and hard to the 

 touch, especially so at the edges. The round lower sheaths 

 are striated and rough ; the bottom of basal sheath purple 

 or red. 



For description and chemical analysis, see page 163. 



FESTUCA OVINA 



(Sheep's Fescue). 



Under the name of Festuca ovina all the smaller Fescues 

 are occasionally I'eferred to, and much confusion has arisen from 

 the practice. A writer may speak in strong terms against or 

 in favour of F. ovina, and it wiU afterwards appear that he 

 was alluding to F. duriuscula. Again, both F. duriuscula 

 and F. rubra, although perfectly distinct varieties, are not 

 only mistaken for each other, but are also confused with 

 F. ovina. The last named possesses certain characteristics by 

 which it may be distinguished from all other small Fescues, 

 and although there is a difficulty in collecting seed it is 

 possible to obtain the true variety ; but if true and reliable 

 the price is generally high. As regards luxuriance, colour, 

 and fineness of the herbage, this grass may be termed inter- 

 mediate between F. duriuscula and F. ovina tenmjolia, and 

 therefore it will continue to be regarded as more suitable 

 for grazing than for making into hay. On sheep runs and in 

 situations which favour the growth of this Fescue, the succulent 

 foliage will always be appreciated, while for lawns its merits 

 in the formation of a fine close turf cannot fail to claim 

 attention. 



