712 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 Dec, 1917. 



Amongst the most valuable and nutritious grasses from a stock- 

 raising point of view, the following may be taken as examples : — Fifteen 

 species of Fanicum, all of which are splendid fodder grasses, including 

 the well known Umbrella Grass; eight of Andropogon, including the 

 famous '' Blue Grass " and other excellent grasses ; seven of Dcyeuxia, 

 which inchide some good pasture grasses; seven of Eragrostis, some of 

 which are remarkable for their drought-resisting qualities ; four of 

 Glyceria, including the Giant Mountain Grass; two of Anthistiria, which" 

 are colloquially known as Kangaroo aTid Oat Grass respectively; two of 

 Chloris. including the Windmill or Star Grass; two of Diplachne, one 

 of which thrives well in moist situations; four of Poa, one of which 

 would be of use in the manufacture of fibre; three of Sporoholiis. one of 

 which would prove serviceable for paper-making. There are several 

 species of the following generei-.^Cyiindon (Couch Grass), Microlcena 

 (Weeping Grass), Pollinia (Brown Top), Setaria (Pigeon Grass), 

 Pappophorum (Nigger Head), Fesluca (Fescue Grass), Eleusine 

 (Finger Grass), Trisetum (Spiked Oat Grass), Eriochloa (Woolly 

 Grass), Deschampsia (Tufted Hair Grass), Anisopogon (Oat Spear 

 Grass), Amphipogon (Bearded Heads), Agropyrum (Common Wheat 

 Grass), Alopeciirus (Bent Foxtail Grass), Hierochloe (Scented Holy 

 Grass), Dichelachne (Plume Grass), Arundo (Reed Grass), and 

 Tetrarrhena (Wire Grass). 



Undesirable Grasses. 



The most objectionable grasses nati-\'e to Victoria belong to Stipa 

 clegantissima, S. -flarescens, S. teretifolia, S. eremophila, 8. sctacea, 8. 

 Luehmanni, 8. acrociliata, 8. McAlpinei, 8. Muelleri, 8. scmiharhataj 

 8. puhescens, 8. ariMiglumis, 8. scahra. (The Stipas are commonly 

 known as Spear Grasses.) Another genus is the Aristida, comprising 

 A. arcnaria, A. Behriana, A. leptopoda, A. vagans, A. ramosa, A. caly~ 

 cina. (These Aristidas are known Vernacularly as Three-awned Spear 

 Grasses.) A very objectionable grass is the False Spinifex, Triodia 

 irritans. which is dreaded mostly on account of its sharp-pointed leaves. 

 Although the number of indigenous undesirable grasses in Victoria does 

 not exceed twenty, in some places they cover large areas, and depreciate 

 their stock-carrying capacity. 



Pastttee Grasses. 



The following are most useful for general pasturage: — Andropogon, 

 pertusus, "Pitted Grass"; A. affinis. "Crown Beard Grass"; A. re- 

 fractns, "Turpentine Grass"; .1. sericeus, "Silky Blue Grass"; Agro- 

 pyrum scahrum, "Common Wheat Grass"; Anthistiria imberhis, 

 "Kangaroo Grass"; Clitoris truncata, "Windmill Grass"; C. acicu- 

 laris, " Lesser Star Grass " ; Gynodon Dactylon. " Indian Couch Grass " ; 

 Danthonia peniciUaita, "Wallaby Grass"; Dichelachne crinita, "Long 

 Hair Plume Grass " ; Eleusine cruciata, " Finger Grass " ; Eragrostis 

 Brownii, "Common Love Grass"; E. pilosa, "Soft Love Grass"; 

 Microlcena stipoides, " Weeping Grass " ; Panicum decompositum, 

 "Umbrella Grass"; P. divaricatissimum. "Spider Grass"; P. cffusum, 

 "Hairy Panic Grass"; P. gracile, "Slender Panic Grass"; P. leuco- 

 phceum, "Cottony Panic Grass"; P. Mitchelli, "Spreading Panic 

 Grass ". 



