13 



of the much-branched knotweed {Polygomom ramosissinium). Of 

 the wheat g-rasses tested, bearded wheat grass, slender wheat grass, 

 Western wheat grass, and false couch grass were found to resist drought 

 well and to form a close, dense, grassy, succulent sward, especially the 

 two last-named species. Among the l3"me grasses 5 species were tested 

 and 3 found to be highly drought resisting, viz, Canada lyme grass, 

 giant lyme grass, and Virginia lyme grass. Eleven different fescues 

 were tried, and only two, reed fescue and tall meadow fescue, proved 

 to be of value, the latter forming a dense, succulent, grassy sward. Of 

 the panic grasses 5 varieties were tested and 3 germinated, viz, the 

 barn3^ard millet, deccan grass, and switch grass. The barnyard millet 

 did remarkably well and produced a succulent growth 3 feet high. 

 Out of the 16 forage plants not belonging to the true grasses only 3 

 germinated, viz, Dakota vetch {Ilosackia purshiana)^ much-branched 

 knotweed {PoJygonmn ramosissimum)^ and hairy vetch {Yicia mllosa). 

 The Dakota vetch produced a poor and straggling growth. The knot- 

 weed grew freely, ])ranching and spreading, and attaining a height of 

 4i feet. It withstood the drought well, but after the leaves fell off it 

 became rather woody. Horses were very fond of the foliage. The hairy 

 vetch grew luxuriantly and freely. It germinated in 20 days and 

 rapidly formed a tangled mass of vegetative growth. It has been 

 reported as a weed from some parts of Victoria; however there is little 

 doubt but that it will prove to be an excellent soiling crop and green 

 manure in Australia as well as here. 



Dr. P. MacOwan, the government botanist for Cape Colony, also 

 received 123 packages of grass and forage-plant seeds from this 

 Division in 1897. Out of these the grama grasses and buffalo grass 

 have proved to be of some value, and among the forage plants other 

 than the grasses the velvet bean and Metcalfe bean are promising 

 v'arieties, the former now being widely distributed by the Govern- 

 ment at about 80 cents per pound. 



Five pounds of seed of velvet bean were sent to the department oi 

 Agriculture of New Zealand, and it is now being widely distributed ir 

 that country. It thrives well in the vicinity of Brisbane, Queensland, 

 and is commonly regarded as a valuable addition to the forage plants 

 of northern New Zealand. Favorable reports have also been received 

 from Prof. J. F. Duthie, of Saharanpoor, Northwest Province, India, 

 in regard to the introduction of the Metcalfe bean. 



