122 Agricultural Gazette of X.S.IF. [Feb. 3, 1908. 



fc 



I'di'iiis ;i (Iriisc tui-f. Ill our ti'ial- its tine licallliy ali]if;waiicr duriiiL: the 

 colli iiMiiilli.- iTiiihTcd it vri'v (■(iiis|)it-ii(}iis. 



Kent ii(k\ liliiL' (Ii'ass {/'<i// /i/-/i/i /ix/s). — Tin- stuloiiift'rous roots of this 

 grass allow it to spread i-apidly. It resists frosts well, and produces good 

 feed duriiiL;' the winter and carK s])riHii. ■ It docs not stand droiiu'lit or 

 heat well, and nndei' such conditions ^ives oidy small yields. It is 

 nuti'itious, and liked hy stock; ami as it is early, i^ valuahlr for cold 

 <-limates. 



Natal IJcd Top {T iicIkiI ii nil ro:<t(i). — This is a very striking Lirass. its 

 higlily-col()iire(l apjiearance when in tlower makini;- it very handsome, and 

 it is on this aci'oiint a favouidtc Lii'ass for ph/asin'c Lirounds. It is a 

 vigorous grower, and attains a hei^iit of '.\ feet (i inches. A dense mass 

 of leafy, succulent herhaiie is (piickly pro(luced in sjiring. and remains 

 until cut down liy heavy frosts. It flowers in Xovemher and Decemlter, 

 and ]iroduces a large amount of seed, which germinates frei-ly. It resists 

 drought well, and flourishes in poor sandy soil. l'"oi' growing as green 

 food for i)oultiy it is very valual)le, and can be recommended for sowing 

 in fowl-yards which require resting. 



Sjiurnhn/ lis iiiroidrs. — A fairly ra]dd-growing. tall gi'ass, attaining' a 

 height of -5 feet. It Howers in Xovemher, and after tliis dies down until 

 the following sprini:', when it makes a fresh growth. The htahage it 

 ]iro(luces is succulent and very suitahle for hay. 



taniciiiii 111 rifoli II III . — Attains a height of 2 feet, and flowers in 

 November. It is a ipiick-growing grass, but somewhat watery in nature, 

 and is apparently more suited to a moist climate than dry conditions. 

 After flowering it rapidly dries, ami does not make a fresh growth until 

 the following s])ring. 



I'll men III hnlhoxn III . — This ujuuLiht-LirowinL;' ^rass Mowers in Xovember, 

 attaining a height of '2\ to 3 feet, but is only sparsely covered with leaves. 

 The forage it produces is succulent and palatal)le, but lieconies drv shortiv 

 after the flowering. It is a good drought resister, and does well in sandy 



soil. 



r-^^ 



Native Varieties. 



In the selection of grasses, our own native varieties are worthy of 

 careful consideration. They have become adapted, by long natural 

 selection, to our peculiar climatic conditions, and are letter able to with- 

 stand th(_'m than many grasse> brouLjIit fj-om coulci- i-limates, whii'h, no 

 matter how good they may be \\\ their own hal)itat, are not fitted to 

 districts liaiilc to drouiihl. There are many valnahle kinds in our 

 numerous and varied sjn'cies, and amoiiL'' them will Ije found varieties 

 .suitable for almost every distidct. Many of the introduced gras.ses are, 

 and will continue to be, the favourites for localities where the climatic 

 conditicuis are similai' to those to which tlie\- have l)ecome inured bv lontr 

 years of cultivation; but when they are removed to districts with 

 absolutelv diffei'eiit comlition^, sat isfactoi'v I'esults will not alwavs follow. 



