46 PEEMANENT AND TEMPOEAEY PASTUEES. 



the beginning of the century, stated that ' the seeds of this plant 

 when cultivated are not fertile, hence it can only be introduced 

 by parting its roots and planting them out.' 



As a matter of fact, although the F. elatior indigenous to 

 this country is often sterile, continental seed is fertile, and it is 

 saved and exported to England annually. As explained at page 

 42, it is known abroad, not as Festuca elatior, but as Festuca 

 arundinacea. And Mr. Carruthers distinctly states that the 

 '■Festuca elatior of English authors is the same plant as Festuca 

 arundinacea of the Germans.' 



I need hardly say that, principally in consequence of the 

 confusion caused by the fact that the German collectors and 

 botanists know pratensis as elatior, large quantities of seed are 

 sold in England under the name of elatior which are simply 

 pratensis Hudsoni. The true elatior [arundinacea) seed is dis- 

 tinguishable by its larger size and the more pointed shape of 

 each grain. It has also a very perceptible roughness on the 

 back of each seed, the three nerves extending the whole length 

 of the back of the grain being armed with minute spines which 

 are easily seen under an ordinary microscope, and these spines are 

 entirely absent in the smaller seed of the true pratensis Hudsoni. 



Sinclair named the F. arundinacea of the Continent Festuca 

 elatior fertilis, and he had never seen it in a wild state in 

 this country. He says : 'This grass, which is nearly alhed to the 

 common Festuca elatior, perfects an abundance of seed, though not 

 entirely free from diseased portions, and is therefore not hable 

 to the objection which takes so much from the value of that 

 variety [F. elatior sterilis). It is equally early in the produce of 

 foliage, and flowers earlier than the barren Tall Fescue by eight 

 or ten days. The produce is equally nutritive. For damp soils 

 that cannot conveniently be made sufficiently dry by drains this 

 would be a most valuable plant, either to be cut for soiling or 

 made into hay and reduced to chaff as it might be wanted.' 



The sowing of a considerable quantity of F. elatior [Festuca 

 arundinacea) seed on certain new pastures, and the vigorous 



