44 PEEMANENT AND TEMPOEARY PASTUEES. 



Grass, combined with Festuca duriuscula and Festuca ovina tenui- 

 folia, may well take its place. 



Although Meadow Fescue occasionally grows rather rank, 

 the herbage is always tender and succulent, and the quality of the 

 hay first-rate. With cattle the plant is ever a favourite, andj if 

 possible, is even more relished than Foxtail. These two grasses 

 flourish under the same conditions, except that the Fescue 

 scarcely stands heat as well as Foxtail. For practical purposes 

 I am inclined to regard Festuca pratensis as tlie better grass, 

 especially as the germination of the seed is more reliable, and 

 experiments have shown its decided superiority in bulk. Up to 

 the time of ripening seed an acre produced 209 pounds more 

 nutritive matter than did an acre of Foxtail in the whole year. 

 The early growth of Meadow Fescue is not large by comparison, 

 but before the end of June it leaves Foxtail far behind. After 

 the crop of the latter has passed its prime, the former continues 

 to grow, and thus maintains a supply of herbage which would 

 otherwise be wanting in the pasture. At the time hay is cut 

 Cocksfoot is superior in bulk, but Meadow Fescue largely atones 

 for the deficiency by its increased production afterwards. 



Stock show a marked preference for Meadow Fescue over 

 Cocksfoot, if the latter is allowed to grow the least old. The 

 one is invariably eaten down close ; the other is frequently per- 

 mitted to develop into large tufts and send up wiry culms which 

 the animals refuse to touch. Horses also eat Festuca pratensis 

 greedily, and it should always be sown for them on suitable land, 

 especially as the paddocks are often within sight of the mansion, 

 where constant verdure is desirable. 



All points considered, this may properly be regarded as one 

 of the most valuable, perhaps the most valuable, grass that can be 

 sown. 



The following characteristics will help to determine this 

 species in the absence of the flowering panicle : Sheath smooth, 

 reddish purple at base ; young leaves involute (rolled) in bud ; 

 ligule very short, obtuse, surrounded by a well-marked auricle. 



