241) REPORT ON NUTRITIVE VALUE OP CERTAIN AUSTRALIAX GRASSES, 



same conditions, showed a decrease. Also that, in comparing samples col- 

 lected during the summer with those collected during the winter months, a falling 

 off in the percentage of protein was noticed during the winter months, while 

 the percentage of crude fibre was greater in the winter samples. The percentage 

 of ether extract was found t<i drop materially in the winter samples. 



As may be seen from Table i., Schedonoriis Ilook-eriamcs Benth. (syn. Fes- 

 tuca Uookeriana F.v.M.), has been analysed at the tirst stage before mentioned 

 from Glen Innes, Hawkesbury Agricultural College and the Botanic Gardens. 

 There is apparently very little difference between the protein content of the 

 samples from Hawkesbury and the Botanic Gardens, both of which places are 

 practically at sea level, but that from Glen Innes, at an elevation approximating 

 4000 feet, shows a distinctly larsjer amount of protein. As to how much of this 

 variation may be due to difference in altitude, and how much to soil. etc.. 1 am 

 not prepared at this early stage of the work to form any conclusion. At Hawkes- 

 bury Agricultural College the soil in which the grasses are grown is a rela- 

 tively poor one. Dr. Jensen (1912) describes it as a light gi'ey silt, strongly 

 acid in character. The experimentalist at Glen Innes states that the soil of the 

 grass plots there is generally regarded as poor — though suitable for cereal grow- 

 ing — and decidedly clayey, light in colour and inclined to be gravelly. It is 

 apparently derived from a basalt, probably bauxitic in character. 



Again in comparing the analyses of Danthonia semi-annularis Labill. in 

 the first stage from the State Experimental Farm at Cowra, which is at an alti- 

 tude of about 1000 feet, with a samjjle from the Botanic Gardens in the same 

 stage, the protein content of the Cowra Sample was found to be higher than 

 that from the Botanic Gardens. Jensen (1914), writing on "The Soils of 

 Cowra" states that the dominant soil there is a warm red loam, overlying a 

 stony and fairly heavy clay subsoil, which merges into rotten granite. He also 

 says ''we get granite dominating on the Experiment Farms of Cowra and 

 Bathurst." The Botanic Gardens soil is described as a sandy loam, and is de- 

 cidedly poor, accordinsi to Mr. Ward, Superintendent at the Gardens. It will 

 be interesting to see whether further work on samples from localities diffciing 

 in soil, altitude, etc., will tend lo confirm these particulars. This is, I think, an 

 important phase of ttie question. 



So far there are no noticeable variations l)etween summer and winter 

 samples, but these may become apparent when a greater number of gi'asscs 

 have been examined. In connection with the results given in Table i., a some- 

 what remarkable variation is seen in two samples of Schedononvi Ilookcrianus, 

 obtained from Glen Innes State Experiment Fann. One of these samples was 

 sent on to me as soon as cut, and, owing to some delay in transit, arrived in a 

 decidedly wilted condition. It was air-dried in the laboratory. The other sample 

 was dried at the Farm under natural conditions. The first sami)le was found 

 to contain 0.43% less of crude protein than the second. When, however, the 

 true protein nitrogen, or albuminoid nitrogen, as it is called in America, was 

 estimated in each, the wilted sample was found to contain 5.73% less of the 

 so-called true protein than the sample which was dried on the Farm. The 

 percentage of amino acid, amides, etc., was, however, eorrespondingly larger, 

 as these substances represent the difference between the so-called crude and 

 true protein. The actual figures are: — 



Crude True Protein 

 Protein, (albuminoid N). 

 Schedimorus Tluokerianwi, first stage (wilted sample! 15.75% . . I).50% 



Scheddwtrwi llookcnatut.-i, fii-st stiige (good sample! Hi. 18% .. 11.23% 



