78 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



to tlie grazier. All lierbivora are remarkably fond of tlie herbage, 

 and it will stand close and continuous feeding. It makes capital hay, 

 if cut when in flower. The seeds usually ripen during the summer 

 months. 



AnclrojwgGn erianthoidcs, F. v. M. " Satin heads." An erect, glauc- 

 ous, perennial grass, growing from 2 to 3 feet high. It is generally 

 found on the rich plains in the interior, and is capable of withstanding 

 a long period of diy weather. Under ordinary conditions it produces 

 a great amount of rich, succulent herbage, which stock of all kinds are 

 remarkably fond of, and fatten on. It makes capital hay. The seeds 

 of this grass usually ripen during November and December. 



Andropogon sericeus, E. Br. '^^Blue grass," An erect, perennial 

 species, usually growing from 1 foot to 2| feet high. It is generally 

 found on good soils over a greater portion of the Colony. It is a most 

 productive gi-ass, and during the summer months yields a bulk of rich, 

 succulent herbage, much relished by all herbivora. The "blue grass" 

 is one of the best and most favourably-known of all the native grasses. 

 In ordinary seasons it perfects a great amount of seed, which usually 

 ripens during October and November in the interior, but in the coastal 

 districts and on the tablelands, one month or two months later. Five 

 other species of Andropogon are found in varying proportions in the 

 pastures in diiferent parts of the Colony, and all of them are excellent 

 forage grasses. 



Antldstiria c'dlata, Linn. "Kangaroo grass." A perennial grass, 

 often growing G feet high on rich soils. It is found all over the 

 Colony. In the coastal districts and on the tablelands it is very 

 plentiful in places, but in the interior it is more sparingly distributed. 

 It has a wide reputation, and many pastoralists consider it one of the 

 most useful of the native grasses. Stock of all kinds are fond of it, 

 and working horses will keep in good condition when fed on it. 

 The " kangaroo grass " makes excellent hay, if cut when the flower 

 stems first appear. Although this grass develops a number of flower- 

 ing stems, yet it does not perfect a great amount of seed. What 

 there is, however, usually ripens during the summer and autumn 

 months. Two other species of AntMstiria are found in the Colony, 

 and both of them are excellent jiasture grasses. They are peculiar to 

 the interior. 



Astrebla triticoides, F. v. M. " Mitchell grass." This perennial 

 species usually grows from 2 to 3 feet high, and is generally found on 

 rich soils over nearly the whole of the interior, though not too plenti- 

 fully. Pastoralists and stockmen hold this grass in high repute, and 

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

 Tlie seeds, when ripe, are like small grains of wheat, and at one time 

 formed an important article of food for the aborigines. The variety 

 lap'pacea of this grass has ears 6 inches long, resembling large wheat- 

 ears, which contain a well-developed grain which separates easily from 

 the chaif. The seeds usually ripen during October, November, and 

 December. Two other species of A-strehIa are found in the interior 

 of New South Wales, and they are highly prized, both for their 

 drought-enduring qualities and their fattening properties. All these 

 species are commonly called " Mitchell grasses " by pastoralists. 



