134 PRACTICAL NOTES ON GRASSES AND GRASS GROWING. 
difference between them, and we cannot understand why any 
grass grower should trouble himself to endeavour to procure 
this particular strain. We are of opinion that this is only a 
sport of the meadow fescue, and when sown side by side with. 
it we maintain that it is next to impossible to tell the one from 
the other, besides it has the disadvantage of being a reputed. 
hybrid. 
Tat. Frescur (FESTUCA ELIATOR, LINN.). 
This coarse grass thrives well on wet soil, but whatever may 
be its virtue, we at once warn stock-keepers against it. 
In its flowering stage it is liable to ergot, which is disastrous. 
to breeding animals, and when there are so many more 
superior and less dangerous grasses, it is better to avoid 
one of this description, except in places where it is so wet 
that it is difficuit to get other plants to grow. 
On our Norfolk and Suffolk marshes it grows wild, and in 
the swamps and ditches attains gigantic proportions. It is 
there cut with the sedges and rushes, and used for litter. 
When one has seen this grass growing as we have mentioned, 
and also growing on cultivated soil, one can hardly believe 
they spring from the same seeds; but there appear to be 
several strains of Festuca eliator, which may account for the 
difference. 
Some time ago this grass was exported to New Zealand, 
where, like the meadow fescue, it grew to such enormous 
proportions that they called it reed fescue, and some of its 
seed has since been returned to the old country. 
Another reason against its use is that it is difficult to get the 
seed pure, besides which it is very dear in price. 
In appearance it somewhat resembles the seed of meadow 
fescue, but is, of course, much larger and coarser. Inclining 
somewhat to creeping habits, it can be propagated by dividing 
the roots. 
