GRASSES 41 



so, and thrive on its rich herbage. When allowed to grow 

 undisturbed for a time it produces an abundance of seed which 

 germinates readily after spring and autumn rains. I have 

 had this grass under experimental cultivation for a considerable 

 time, and the leafy herbage it then produced was much superior, 

 both in quality and bulk, to that generally seen in the pastures. 

 When cut at the early flowering stage it makes excellent hay, 

 which will keep in good condition for a long time if properly 

 stored. The Wallaby Grass can be highly recommended for 

 systematic cultivation, either for permanent pasture or for 

 hay. Inland the seeds of this grass usually ripen in October, 

 but in the coast and colder districts it is generally from one 

 month to two months later, though occasionally in autumn. 

 An illustration of the Wallaby Grass accompanies this 

 letterpress. 



There are eleven species and several varieties of Danthonia 

 indigenous to Australia, most of them being widely distributed 

 over the continent, and all fine forage grasses. The tallest 

 and most remarkable species is D. robusta, popularly called 

 ' ' Ribbon Grass, ' ' which occurs on the southern mountains, 

 where it forms large tussocks of coarse but nutritious herbage. 

 It usually grows from four to five feet high, but occasionally it 

 is taller, and affords shelter for many of the dwarf ' ' Bent 

 Grasses, ' ' and other sub-alpine flora. 



Warrego Grass (Panicum flavidum) is found generally 

 in the eastern division of the continent from the coast to the 

 far interior, but is much more widely distributed, and more 

 abundant in the latter than the former. It usually grows from 

 one foot to nearly three feet high, but occasionally it is taller. 

 Inland it generally grows on deep, rich soils, and in such 

 situations will often remain green during a long period of dry 

 weather. In ordinary seasons it produces a great bulk of 

 rich, leafy herbage, of which stock of ah 1 kinds are remarkably 



