10 Dec, 1917.] Victorian Grasses. 721 



grasses, but is not suitable for dry, i)ooi- soils. Alupecurns prateiisis, 

 "Meadow Fox-tail (irass," is one of the best of pereimial jiasture 

 grasses, on which sheep thrive well and when combined with white clover 

 will carry about four or five sheej) to the acre. For best results it requires 

 land not too dry. In permanent artificial pastures this grass should 

 form one of the ])rincipal ingredienis on account of its lasting and 

 nutritive nature. Its yield of hay on good soils is usually 2 to 3 

 tons per acre. Cynosurus cristatus, " (.'rested Dog's-tail Grass," of per- 

 ennial nature, drought-resisting, with root i)enetrating to a considerable 

 depth, is suitable for ]»ernianent pasture, and it forms thick tufts with- 

 out crowding out otlier grasses. It is generally regarded as suitable for 

 the hilly country of (Jippsland, where it has proved its value in increas- 

 ing the carrying capacity of land by at least a sheej) per acre above 

 land sown with other grasses. Antho.ranthum ordorutum "Scented 

 Vernal Grass," is a perennial species, growing from 12 to ]8 

 inches in height, and has become fairly established in pastures, where 

 its presence can be readily detected by its pleasant odour. This is due 

 to a fragrant principle called cumariu. , Scented Vernal Gra.ss is occa- 

 sionally used for mixing among ])ermanent grasses in pastures, where 

 it will continue long in season. 



Trisctum pratoisc, "Yellow Oat Grass," is a useful ]M'rcnnial meadow 

 grass, with golden yellow inflorescence. It thrives well when mixed 

 with other grasses, and will grow in marl and calcareous soil, as well as in 

 all light land rich in hiinius, particularly in that which contains lime, 

 and where the last-named condition obtains it forms a most suitable 

 under-grass. The forage is of good quality, and is eagerly sought by 

 cattle. Faspaluvi dilatatvin, " Golden Crown Grass," is valuable as a 

 hay and pasture grass, and has been greatly praised by agriculturists. 

 It is said to remain green wiien all other grasses are dried up, has given 

 fair results under irrigation, and has been known to support one dairy 

 cow to the acre the year round. While it grows well on nearly all 

 types of soil, it gives the best return on rich black soils. 



Ammophila ariindinacea, "Marram Grass" (introduced from 

 Europe to this State by the late Baron von Mueller in 1853) is one of 

 the most important of reedy gra.sses for reclaiming or fixing drift sand 

 on the seashore, for the consolidation of which this tall grass and 

 Elyynus arenarms, " Sand Lyme Grass," are chiefly employed. Its habit 

 of growth is similar to that of Mat or Conch Grasses. The young plant 

 extends a long creeping root, from which at intervals of from 3 to 



5 inches a tuft ari.ses and forms a tussock. From this tussock smaller 

 roots penetrate, and when drift sands rise the tuft forms roots higher 

 and higher, thus preventing the complete destruction of the plant, and 

 forming a rise of fixed sand. When growing vigorously these tussocks 

 combine, thus making a dense mass difficult to walk through. The 

 method of planting sections of roots for new growth, is usually in rows 



6 feet apart, the pace between each plant being about 2 feet. Like 

 Elymus arenarms. it possesses jio feeding value, and is rejected by all 

 herbivorous animals. It is, however, an excellent material for thatch. 

 Milium rffusvm, " English Meadow Grass," is a good perennial grass, 

 and much relished by stock. It -sometimes attains a height of feet, 

 and is well suited for damp forest land, the pastoral capabilities of 

 which it enhances. On river-banks nutritious hay to the extent of 

 3 tons to the acre has been obtained from this grass. Agrostis alba, 



