52 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



FESTUCA HETEROPHYLLA 



(Various-leaved Fescue). 



Festuca heterophylla was introduced into England in 1814. 

 It comes into flower rather earlier than Festuca ovina tenui- 

 folia, and ripens its seed about the middle of July. Sinclair 

 calls it Festuca ovina hordeiformis, or Long-awned Sheep's 

 Fescue, and he was of opinion that when allowed to ripen 

 seed at least one-half the nutritive value of the grass was lost. 

 The foliage is darker and more glossy than that produced 

 by other Fescues. Festuca heterophylla is extensively grown 

 in France, and, although a southern plant, I am satisfied that 

 in this country, especially in all the warmer districts, it might 

 with advantage be sown with greater freedom than is usual 

 on strong well-drained soils, where Festuca ovina tenuifolia 

 and even Festuca duriuscula are liable to be overpowered by 

 Cocksfoot. Various-leaved Fescue shows a decided partiality 

 for calcareous land, succeeds in marshes, and grows better 

 under the shade of trees than in the open. It is a most valu- 

 able Fescue, and indeed one of the best of the finer grasses. 

 The early growth makes it exceedingly useful in a pasture, 

 but the aftermath is small. 



This Fescue will not alone make a homogeneous turf, 

 as the plants form tufts which will not amalgamate ; but in 

 company with Festuca rubra and Poa pratensis it will fully 

 occupy the soil. 



The loose brown sheaths and triangular form of the 

 harsh, long, slender root-leaves are points by which this grass 

 may easily be recognised in the absence of the flower-head. 



To ensure true seed the crop has to be grown alone, 

 because the heads when ripe resemble other Fescues so closely 

 that the collectors find it difficult to gather a perfectly true 

 sample by hand. 



For illustration, description, and chemical analysis, see 

 5s. Edition. 



