Varieties. 
Hybrids. 
Name. 
History. 
Agricultural 
value. 
Geographical 
distribution. 
Habitat. 
Limits of 
altitude. 
Climate. 
_ ae 
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rounded on the back, and awnless; the wpper is (figs, 1, 4, 7) slightly shorter, and has a pair of sca- 
brous keels. The lodicules (figs. 2 and 7) are split at the apex. The ovary (figs. 2) is glabrous and 
deeply furrowed at the apex. On flowering the anthers behave as in Perennial rye-grass (which see). 
At maturity the spikelet breaks up into the false fruits (figs. 3 and 4); a portion of the axis of the 
spikelet remains at the base of each, forming the stalk (fig. 4). The length of the false fruit is 
6—7 mm. The flat caryopsis (figs. 5, 6) adheres to the pales, particularly to the upper; its length 
is 3 mm.; it is obtuse at the apex and acute at the base; the ventral surface has a shallow groove, 
and a long hilum (fig. 6). 
Varities. Cultivated Meadow fescue is, from Hackel’s standpoint, merely the variety genwina. 
Two subvarieties of agricultural importance can however be distinguished, these are, 1° Typical Meadow 
fescue which, botanically speaking, is Festuca elatior sub-sp. pratensis, var. genuina, sub-var, typica Hackel, 
and 2° False fescue, Festuca elatior L. sub-sp. pratensis, var. genwina, sub-var. pseudo-coliacea Hackel. 
The latter often occurs wild on roadsides; it is a partially starved variety, which produces simple spik- 
elets on the apical branches, (like Festuca loliacea). This character and the smaller size are the only 
points in which it differs from the typical variety. It is to be regarded as a local form, produced when 
the ground is firmly trodden; on a looser soil, it passes into the typical form. 
Festuca loliacea De Cand. is a hybrid between Perennial rye-grass and Meadow fescue; its inflo- 
rescence is a spikelike raceme; the branches are reduced, like those of rye-grasses to single spikelets. 
Meadow fescue also forms hybrids with, Italian rye-grass, and with Festuca gigantea Vill. No agricul- 
tural interest attaches to any of these hybrids. 
The species, called Festuca elatior by Linneus, was more recently divided into two species, viz. 
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreber.), and Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Hudson.). Hackel, in 
his classic monograph on the European fescues, unites these again into a single species, viz. Festuca 
elatior. This he divides into 2 sub-species: — 41. Festuca elatior sub-species pratensis, and 2. Festuca 
elatior, sub-species arundinacea. Botanically then, Meadow fescue is not a species, but a sub-species, 
of which the variety genwina is the common form, 
Meadow fescue has only received a large share of attention within recent years, although its value 
as a fodder-plant has long been recognised. Judtmann, in 1790, speaks of it as an excellent grass. 
Mauke, in 1818, mentions it as one of the best and most useful grasses. According to Sinclair, it was 
first cultivated experimentally in England, about 1820. On the continent, its cultivation commenced as 
late as 1850, 
This is one of the most valuable grasses either for mowing or pasture, as it is very 
productive, and the fodder good. Being perennial, it ought always to be represented on 
permanent grass lands which are suitable for its growth. | 
Occurence, climate, soil, manure. Meadow fescue is indigenous — throughout Hurope (in 
Scandinavia it extends into south-eastern Lapland, in southern Europe it is rare); to Asta, in Caucasus, 
Georgia and Siberia. Recently it has been introduced into North America. Occurs throughout Great Bri- 
tain, except Westmoreland, Cumberland and on the Isle of Man; it descends to the coast level and ascends 
to 600 feet or upwards in the East Highlands of Scotland. 
It occurs wild in humid, moist, or even wet ground of good quality, more especially on alluvial 
soils, by river-banks and roadsides. In Alpine regions, when the soil is suitable, it also occurs wild, 
On the Alps, on the moist rich soils at Schwefelberg it has been observed in abundance at an 
altitude of 4,900 ft, It is the most abundant grass on many alpine districts as at Gurnigel at 3,900 ft. 
On the Bavarian Alps, it occurs up to 4,600 ft., on the Caucasus, from 1,300—5,250 ft. 
In appropriate situations neither winter nor late frosts injure this grass. Above every- 
thing it requires moisture ; water, unless very excessive, does it little injury. Deep valleys, 
localities where cloud and dew long persist, as in certain mountainous districts are spe- 
cially suitable. Since the roots penetrate well into the ground, it can tide over a tem- 
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