Feb. 3, 1908.] Agricultural G-azelte of N.S.W. 123 



Australian grasses iiavc, tliruaL;li tKu wcjdl and meat j)ruiliK'eil, obtained 

 a world-wide reputation, and it is well worth attempting to still further 

 increase their value, and that of the pastures, by carefully selecting and 

 ^■rowing those varieties which have by actual results proved the best. 

 We have many areas the stock-bearing capacity of which could be largely 

 increased by a little judicious treatment ; and with the increasing necessity 

 of making the greatest profit from the land, attention might well be 

 turned to our own varieties. In many cases in the western wheat country 

 horses have been worked hard at [doughing for several months at a time, 

 with no other feed than that which they have been able to obtain from 

 the natural grass land. They have remained strong and healthy through- 

 out, and have in some instances even put on flesh, and looked better at 

 the end of the season than when they commenced work. This is an actual 

 proof of the high nutritive ([ualities of our grasses, and if but ;■. portion 

 of the attention is given to them which other crops receive, highly satis- 

 factory results must loUow. 



Mitchell Grass (Aiitrehla triticoides). — This grass, whilst giving fair 

 results, lias not thrived so well under our conditions as its power of 

 resisting drought in the inland districts would lead us to expect- It does 

 not apjiear to do well in poor sandy soil, and probably the different 

 climatic comlitions influence its growth. In its native hal)itat of the 

 interior it has the reiJUtation of being one of the most vigorous and 

 fattening indigenous grasses. Even under extreme heat it produces 

 abundant highly nutritive herbage, which stock eat greedily and do well 

 on, even after it has become quite dry. This is a marked feature in 

 many of our grasses, and is responsible for the heavy stocking which can 

 be done throughout the year. 



In our tidals with Mitchell Grass it grew to a height of IS inches and 

 tillered largely, producing a large quantity of flue succident stems and 

 many leaves. It flowered in December, and remained fairly green 

 throughout the summer. It has strong, wiry roots, and bears a fair 

 -amount of well-developed seed. 



Tall Blue Grass (Aiulropof/on nfr<icfu^). — This variety remains green 

 •during most of the year. It grew to a height of 3 feet, and flowered in 

 December. The stems are a little hard, and are scantily leafed; but a fair 

 amount of succulent leaf is I)orne at the base of the stems. It is fairly 

 prominent among the native grasses of the farm, and resists drought and 

 heat Well. 



Brown-flowered Swamjt Grass {hi phiclmi' fiixca). — This common name 

 is somewhat a misnomer, as the grass thrives well on the driest soil. It 

 is a rapid grower, and reaches a height of 3 feet. The forage produced 

 is succulent during its young stages, and verv useful for stock, but 

 become.s slightly coarse after it flowers, at the end of November. The 

 foliage remains green during the sunnner months, and dies down on the 

 approach of frosts, and reniains dormant until the following spring. 

 It resists drought well, and grows on i)Oor sandy soil. 

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