18 AUSTRALIAN GRASSES AND PASTURE PLANTS 



Australian Rhodes Grass (Chloris barbata, var. decora) 

 is a robust growing plant attaining a height of from four to 

 five feet or more on good soils. Until quite recently this 

 native grass was only known to occur in the interior of the 

 continent, but in 1903 the author was the first to discover it 

 in the coast districts, and his economic description of it 

 attracted considerable attention from stockowners. Since 

 then it has been found in a number of localities in eastern 

 Australia. In ordinary seasons during the hotter months 

 this grass yields a great bulk of succulent, leafy, nutritious 

 herbage much relished by stock. In its earlier stages of 

 growth it has a creeping habit, and roots from every joint that 

 is in contact with the ground, but the stems soon assume an 

 upright position, and attain the height previously given. 

 Once it becomes established it produces plenty of seed which 

 after a good rainfall germinates readily in early autumn and 

 spring. Splendid hay has been made from experimental 

 growth. Mr. J. C. Brunnich gives the following chemical 

 analysis of the Australian Rhodes Grass : Moisture, 7.27 ; 

 ash, 9.01 ; fibre, 16.95 ; carbohydrates, 57.98 ; fat and 

 oil, 2.11 ; protein, 7.98 ; total nutriments, 68.07 ; albumi- 

 noid ratio, 10.71 per cent. 



Bent Grass (Deyeuxia billardieri) is usually of annual 

 duration, though in favourable situations it may become 

 perennial. It is widely distributed, being found in the coast 

 districts and on some of the high tablelands in all the States 

 of the Commonwealth, being fairly plentiful in some districts, 

 and quite a feature in the pastures when in seed. In the 

 colder parts it is of short tufted habit, rarely growing more 

 than six inches high, but in more favoured situations it attains 

 a height of eighteen inches, and produces a quantity of leafy 

 herbage. On rich, moist pasture land it grows throughout 

 a greater part of the year, but on dry land it temporarily 



