PASTURES, GRASSES, AND FORAGE PLANTS. 83 



phenomenal amount of lieat, and o-hav tlir.myh tlie most protrneted 

 drought. During- such times it often ])roves of great vakic cm Ktuti(ms, 

 and great quantities arc cut for fod(U'r. Stock of all descriptions nro 

 remarkably fond of the plant, and thrive on it. It is Bomotinies given 

 to stock in the form of chaf¥, and after it has been cut for a few days 

 it smells like ''new mown hay." Horses and bullocks are said to 

 not oidy work well on this feed, but to fatten on it. lialls of cfttton- 

 like substance sometimes form on this ])lant, hence stockmen call it 

 " cotton bush." Generally sj)eaking, however, only one shrult in a 

 thousand is subject to this cottony "gall," except in very protracted 

 droughts, when the " galls " are more plentiful. These " galls " are 

 generally supposed to be caused by some insect. The " cotton Ijusli" 

 produces plenty of seed, which ripens during the summer and autumn 

 months. 



Kochia 2)iiramidata , Benth. ''Grey Bush." This shrub usually 

 grows from 3 to 4 feet high, and is found only in the western country. 

 It will withstand a phenomenal amount of dry weather, and in adverse 

 seasons often proves a good stand-by for stock. 



Mr. W. A. Dixon gives the following analysis of this plant : — 



Oil 214 



Carbohydrates ... ... ... .32 -OS 



Albuminoids ... ... ... ... ... ... I'J'W 



Woody fibre ... ... ... ... ... ... ^'04 



AshC.0.2 'i~-2-i 



100 CO 



Nitrogen ... ... ... ••• 3"19 



Woody parts of plant .37 per cent. 



Edible 63 per cent. 



There are twelve other species of Kocliia found in different parts of 

 the Colony, but principally in the interior. All of them withstand 

 drought to a marked degree, and in consequence often prove useful as 

 feed for stock in dry seasons when the more tender herbage is scarce. 

 Most of them bear plenty of seed, which ripens at different times of 

 the year. 



Rhagodla hasfata, R. Br. " Salt-bush." A shrubby plant usually 

 growing about 3 feet high in a natural state, but under cultivation 

 attaining a height of from 5 to 7 feet. It is found in different parts 

 of the Colony, but principally in the interior. Stock of all kinds eat 

 this "salt-bush" with avidity, and thrive well on it. Under ordinary 

 conditions this plant bears plenty of seed. 



Rhagodla paraholka, R. Br. "Old-man salt-bush." An erect- 

 growing shrub, usually attaining a height of from 5 to 10 feet. It is 

 generally found growing on rich soils in the interior, and sometnncs 

 near swampy places, but not very plentifully. It is a good toragc 

 plant, but is more readily eaten by cattle than by sheep, the former 

 animals, however, can reach the tall branches much more easily than 

 the latter. Rabbits eat the bark of this shrub, and grass-hoppers are 

 particularly fond of its foliage. Five other species oi Rhcujndm aio 

 found in different parts of the Colony, from the coast to the far intenoi 

 All of them are excellent forage plants, and most of them heai an 

 abundance of seed when allowed to grow undisturbed tor a lime. 



