12 AUSTRALIAN GRASSES AND PASTURE PLANTS 



of pastoral occupation salt-bushes were so highly valued as 

 feed for sheep and cattle, no attempts were made to system- 

 atically conserve them ; consequently they are not nearly as 

 plentiful in many parts of the interior as formerly. Many 

 pastoralists, however, profiting by previous mistakes, are now 

 fully convinced of the necessity of conserving these valuable 

 forage plants, which have provided such excellent feed for 

 stock, even during adverse seasons, and several experienced 

 graziers are now going so far as to cultivate them. A good 

 percentage of salt-bushes in the pastures enhances the grazing 

 capabilities of the country, and keeps stock in a healthy con- 

 dition; moreover, their succulent stems and leaves assuage 

 the thirst of the animals that browse upon them a most 

 important consideration in country where water is scarce. 

 All these plants are easily raised from seed, and many can be 

 increased by cuttings, so that there are no insurmountable 

 difficulties in increasing this valuable pasture herbage. The 

 succulent stems and leaves of several salinous plants are good 

 table esculents when cooked and served in the ordinary way. 

 Some species attain a height of from six to twelve feet or more, 

 and others of from three to four feet, but the greater number 

 grow from one foot to two feet high, while several have creep- 

 ing stems which sometimes cover the ground for a considerable 

 area with rich, succulent herbage. Very few plants so useful 

 for forage purposes can exist under such adverse conditions, 

 of drought and heat as most members of the salt-bush family. 

 When well established they are exceedingly tenacious of life, 

 and the hotter the season the more luxuriantly many of them 

 grow, provided they are not persistently eaten over. Chemical 

 analyses of Australian salt-bushes made in New South Wales,, 

 and in California, where considerable attention has been 

 devoted to their cultivation, agree in assigning to them a high 

 feeding value. Though different species vary considerably 

 it may be stated that as a general rule the best kinds, when 



