BOMBAY GRASSES. 231 



" fodder grass at these elevations, it does not grow to such a height 

 "asi£ does at lower elevations. It is extensively planted along the 

 " edges of foot and bridle-paths on Coffee Estates ; but Mr. Morris 

 " gave his opinion against this practice, as the grass is supposed to 

 " harbour the mycelium of the Coffee leaf fungus." 



Duthie, at p. 9 of the " Fodder Grasses of Northern India," 

 states that " this is the ' Guinea Grass,' a native of Tropical 

 "Africa, and now extensively cultivated in most tropical countries. 

 " Although it seeds freely in this country, it is nevertheless found 

 " preferable to propagate it by root cuttings. In the United States 

 " it is usually planted in this way, as it rarely matures seed in that 

 " country. Manuring is beneficial where frosts prevail. Analysis 

 " shows it to be very rich in nutritive qualities, and as it appears to 

 " thrive well in the plains of Northern India, its extended cultiva- 

 " tion should be encouraged." 



P. miliaceum. Linn. ; P. asperrimum. Lagasc ; P. pilosum, Swartz. ; 

 Fl. Ind., Occ, 141 ; Dalz. and Gib. Bomb. FL Suppl. 98 ; Church's 

 Food Grains of Ind., fig. 2. 



Vern. Varagu, Wuree Sawa, Badlee. 



There are several varieties cultivated in Guzerat and over the 

 Ghats, named Danglee, Rale, &c. Duthie gives the following 

 vernacular names, Chena, Chinera, Worga. (Roxb.) 



This grass is a native of Egypt and Arabia cultivated in different 

 parts of India on account of its grain which is considered nutritious 

 by the natives and used by them as a kind of food at marriage 

 ceremonies. The fodder obtainable from it is of very superior 

 quality, but it is seldom made use of. 



P. miliare, Lam. Ill 173 ; Roxb. Fl. Ind. 1-311. 



Vern. Poi, Nella-Shama (Roxb.), Kulti, Bagad, Badi, Burburi, 

 (Duthie.) 



It is cultivated in Guzerat and other parts of this presidency, and 

 is not uncommon on the Himalayas at moderate altitudes. The 

 poorer classes of natives use the grain as an article of diet. The 

 straw is readily eaten by cattle. 



P. psilopodinm , Trinn. Diss. II., 217. 



This grass is named Mordanura in Khardi, Thana, where it is sail 



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