73 



THE WILD OK CANADIA:M EICE, 

 ZIZANIA AQUATICA. 



By F. x\bbott, Jun. 



[Eead August 12, 1^79.] 



With reference to this plant, a liberal suppl}^ of the seeds of 

 which was received from the Chamber of Agriculture, Washington, 

 United States of America, about a month ago, I would offer the 

 following notes with a view of pointing out the desirability of 

 endeavouring to acclimatise the plant in Tasmania. 



The plant is one that would be of great value if introduced in 

 sufficient quantity to become acclimatised in our Lake districts, 

 which are peculiarly suited to its requirements. It not only 

 supplies a great amount of sustenance to water fowl of all kinds, 

 but is a valuable food plant, and affords excellent fodder for cattle. 

 It has also of late years come into repute as an excellent paper 

 making material. 



The plant is one that has been known for many years but has 

 not been successfully acclimatised anywhere that I am aware of, 

 and indeed it would not appear that any great efforts have been 

 made for its acclimatisation. It has been from time to time 

 introduced into England, and various botanical gardens in Europe, 

 but does not appear to have escaped from cultivation in such places, 

 and has usually been lost sight of in a few years time. 



The -late Sii- Joseph Banks introduced the plant many years ago, 

 and it reproduced itself in a lake on his estate for several years in 

 succession, but finally was lost sight of during some extensive: 

 alterations to the property. Last year it was reported in the 

 Gardeners' Chronicle as being under cultivation at the Royal 

 Gardens, Kew, in London, raised from seeds introduced in a 

 damp state, but as yet it has not escaped from house cultures. 



There is great difficulty in getting the seeds to germinate when 

 introduced in a dry state, and it is recommended to have them sent 

 in damp clay, when germination is almost a certainty. 



The seed just received is to all appearance fresh, and as a 

 considerable portion of it has been sown at the Gardens, and the 

 remainder kept immersed for distribution to any persons having 

 suitable opportunities to give it a fair trial, a short time will 

 suffice to prove whether any of it has retained its germinating 

 power. 



The following description of the plant is taken from the columns 



