10 Dec, 1917. J Victorian Grasses. 713 



FoK Moist Soils. 



The native jirasses which tlirivc best in moist soils are: — Giiiceria 

 flmiam. "Manna Grass"; G. Fordcana, "Sweet Swamp Grass"; 0. 

 ramigcra. "Bamboo (Jrass"; Ifemarthria compressa, "Mat (irass"; 

 Impcrata (niindi7t(ic('a. " Blady Grass"; Paniciim melanthemum, 

 ^' JJlack Seodfil Panic Grass"; Arundo phragmites, "Common Keed 

 Grass"; Microhvna stipoides, " Wteojiing Grass"; Tsachne austraJis, 

 " Swamp Millet "; Diplarhne fwca. " Brown Beetle Grass "; Danlhonia 

 nervosa. " Swamj) Wallaby Grass." 



Grasses Suitable p'ou Dry Sitiations. 



Tlic best native grasses for dry sitnations are Amphipogon strictus, 

 ■"Bearded Heads"; Anisopogon arcnacens, "Oat Spear Grass"; 

 Echinopogon oratiis, "Hedge Hog Grass"; Eragroslis lacunaria, 

 ■" Mallee Love Grass " ; Neurachne Mitchelliana, " Mitchell Mulga 

 Grass"; PappopJiorum nigricans, "Nigger Head," " PoUinia fulva, 

 " Browntop"; Chloris tnincata, "Windmill Grass"; Eleusine cruciata, 

 "Finger Grass"; Panicum effusum, "Hairy Panic Grass"; P. prolu- 

 ■tuin, "Pallid Panic Grass"; P. decompositum, "Umbrella Grass." 



Coast Sand Binders. 



The following are most suitable for growing on sandy wastes adjacent 

 to the coast: — Distichlis mnritima, "Salt Grass" Imperaia arundinacea, 

 " Blady Grass"; Festuca liUoralis, "Coast Fescue"; Spinifcx hirsutus, 

 " Hairy Spinifex "; SpovobohtJi virginicus, " Virginian Eat-tail Grass "; 

 Zoysia pungens, " Prickly Couch Grass "; Hemarthria compressa, " Mat 

 'Grass " ; Cynodon dactylon, " Indian Couch Grass." 



Pastxires in their Present Condition. 



A rich, succulent and varied character of indigenous grasses and 

 forage plants cover the grazing lands during spring and summer, but 

 during winter — when the weather conditions are unfavorable — the want 

 of green succulent herbage is usually felt. One of the most widely 

 diffused grasses is DantJionia penuiUata, "Wallaby Grass." This 

 perennial grass is found in nearly all open country, and in some localities 

 it is the principal fodder grass, and being of a very nutritious quality, 

 stock of all kinds relish it. Anthisiiria imherhis, "Kangaroo Grass," 

 is common in many places, and grows to a great height when left 

 unmolested for a time. A peculiarity of this grass, and one which 

 hinders its multiplication seriously, is the fact that it bears in its large 

 ornamental flower-heads very few fertile seeds. If the farmer would 

 only recognise this, and remove his stock during .spring and summer from 

 the paddocks in which kangaroo grass has a hold, a valuable fodder 

 grass would be conserved; otherwise, there is a serious danger of its 

 being eaten out. The proof of this assertion can be seen by any interested 

 person, who will observe the rich growth of kangaroo grass within many 

 railway enclosures, while without not a bhide is to be seen. One would 

 infer from its height (it sometimes grows tall enough to hide sheep), 

 and consequent coarseness, that it would not be favoured by stock, but 

 they are extremely partial to it. Andropogon pertusiis, " Pitted Beard 



