42 PEEMANENT AND TEMPOEAEY PASTUEES. 



ELYMUS AEENAEIUS 

 {Sand or Upright Sea Lyme Grass). 



No other grass is equal to this for binding loose or blowing 

 sand, for which purpose its mat-like roots are naturally adapted. 

 It has been extensively sown on portions of the English and 

 Dutch coasts. Height, four feet. Flowers in July. 



FESTUCA PEATENSIS, Hudson 

 {Meadoiv Fescue). 



Much confusion has arisen from the fact that Linnasus con- 

 sidered this grass to be a mere strain of F. elatior. Hudson first 

 gave it the rank of a distinct species under the name of F. pra- 

 tensis. Continental botanists still follow Linnteus and call it 

 elatior, reserving for the larger species, known by English 

 botanists as elatior, the title of Festuca arundinacea or Festuca 

 littorea. We have now, however, to deal with the smaller species 

 known as F. pratensis by English botanists. 



This grass is common in Great Britain and on the Conti- 

 nent of Europe, and its presence is a pretty certain indication of 

 good land. In situations adapted to the requirements of this 

 grass it scarcely suiTers from winter cold or white spring frosts. 

 It flourishes in strong, deep soil, especially in low-lying meadows 

 and vaUeys where a moist atmosphere prevails ; and in this 

 country it is rarely successful at an elevation of 500 feet above 

 the sea level. Meadow Fescue is abundant in the Vale of 

 Aylesbury, which is noted for the luxuriance of its pastures. 

 In well-drained clay districts it is specially at home. Professor 

 Buckman says : ' In rich meadow flats, as in the Vale of Berkeley, 

 the celebrated locality for the production of Double Gloucester 

 cheese, the Festuca pratensis is a common and valuable denizen.' 

 Again he says : ' In an agricultural point of view Festuca 



