Australian Grasses. 13 



under certain conditions. This I have proved by cultivating it on the 

 eastern side of the Dividing Range, although only in experimental stage?, 

 still over a series of years. To ensure the successful cultivation of this grass 

 in the coastal districts the land on which it is grown must be thoroughly 

 drained, if not naturally so situated, for nothing appears to harm the 

 Mitchell grass so much as stagnant moisture. If cut just- as the flower- 

 spikes appear, it makes excellent hay, and if left growing a little longer 

 before it is cut, it should make good ensilage. When left undisturbed for a 

 time it produces a great amount of seed, so that there would be no difficulty 

 in collecting any quantity for dissemination in those parts of the country 

 where it may not already' be growing. 



The most likely places at present to collect the seeds are within the railway 

 enclosures in the interior. Those pastoralists who are fortunate enough to 

 have this grass growing on their runs, would do well, by conserving small 

 areas from which a supply of seed could be obtained, to sow it in places where 

 the plant may have been eaten out through over-stocking. The seeds of the 

 Mitchell grass when ripe are like small grains of wheat, and at one time they 

 formed an article of food for the aborigines. 



The seeds usually ripen in November and December. 



Reference io plate. A, Spikelet. B, Floret closed, c, Floret open. D, Grain, back anl 

 front views. All variously magnified. 



Astrebla triticoides, F. v. M. (Wheat-like.) "Mitchell Grass." An 

 erect glaucous grass of 2 to 3 feet ; very near A. pectinatct, the leaves more 

 or less scabrous or ciliate on the edges. Spikes 3 to 6 inches long. S pikelets 

 alternate, not closely imbricate, and often almost erect, and at some distance 

 from each other. Outer empty glumes usually very unequal, the lowest short, 

 the secoDd 4 or 5 lines long. Flowering glumes shorter, the lateral lobes 

 shorter and more rigid than in A. pcctinata, and the awn much exceeding 

 them, the dorsal hairs appressed and silky. 



A perennial grass found on rich soils nearly all over the interior, but 

 nowhere is it reported to be plentiful. This is to be regretted, for it is one 

 of the best of the native grasses. It is well worth systematic conservation, 

 and even cultivation, in places where it may not already be growing. I 

 have had it under experimental cultivation for a number of years, and can 

 highly recommend it for cultivation either in the coastal districts or in the 

 interior. If grown on the eastern side of the Dividing Eange, however, the 

 land must be thoroughly drained, if not naturally so situated, for it is very 

 susceptible to stagnant moisture. Under good cultivation, this grass yields 

 a phenomenal amount of rich, succulent herbage, which herbivora of all kindy 

 are remarkably fond of. Pastoralists and stockmen hold this grass in high 

 repute, and it is said that cattle will fatten on its dry, broken stems and 

 leaves. If it is cut when it first shows its flower stems, it makes excellent 

 hay, and from its great yield when under cultivation it should be valuable 

 for making into ensilage if cut when the flower stems are well developed. 



