24 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Jan. 2, 1920. 



Popular Descriptions of Grasses* 



[Coutinuecl from page 7S7.] 



E. BREAK WP:LL, B.A., B.Sc, Agrostologist. 



THE DANTHONIA GRASSES. 



The Danthonia species are probably the most important economic grasses of 

 New South Wales, their importance being due (a) to their abundance in 

 coastal, tableland, and western pastures, and [h) to their highly palatable 

 qualities. 



The Danthonias are fairly cosmopolitan grasses, being found all over Aus- 

 tralia, in New Zealand, South Africa, and in the warmer parts of America 

 and Europe. In New Zealand they are recommended only for the poorer 

 soils of the South Island; but in, the North Island they are considered very 

 valuable pasture grasses, and are credited with carrying two sheep to the acre. 



A Danthonia grass is one of the easiest to recognise in the field, but so 

 closely are the numerous species related to each other that they appear to have 

 been " lumped together " under the same species rather too much. Now that 

 their economic value is being particularly noticed and their importance 

 emphasised, the correct naming of this group is under investigation. As far 

 as experience goes, there is no useless Danthonia grass, but some are much 

 better than others, and their correct naming is a matter of some importance. 



Typical Danthonia grasses are represented in the accompanying figures. 

 They are all tine-leafed tussocky grasses, but not by any means tall, the 

 average height being about 1 foot and seldom more than 2 feet. They are 

 characterised by the presence of white hairs on the flowering glumes, which 

 present a glistening and attractive appearance when the flowers open 

 in the spring months. They tlius often receive the names Silver-top, White- 

 top or Fluffy-top. The old vernaculai- name, Wallaby grass, is not now nearly 

 so common. 



In New South Vv'ales the Danthonia grasses are commonest on the tablelands 

 and slopes, where they easily constitute 90 per cent, of the dominant grasses 

 in well-managed pastures— sometimes, indeed, monopolising the whole 

 situation. In coastal districts they are generally absent from couch and 

 paddock-love grass associations, but are connnon in newly clearetl jiaddoeks, 

 in scrub lands, and very often in well-worked f;illowpd paddocks. In the 

 western districts they are just a little less abundant than on the slopes and 

 tablelands. The Danthonia grasses can therefore be termtd the commonest 

 and most widely distributed grasses of the State, and without them our 

 pastoral industry would suffer consideiably. 



Habits. — The Danthonias are perennial in character, and provide feed 

 during the greater portion of the year. They are the best winter native 

 grasses we possess, and even in the most elevated portions of New England 

 will stand feeding off in the coldest of seasons. This winter growth, which 



