MISCELLANEOUS ( Itol'S. 



631 



practically glabrous, while in other, both are extpnieiy hairy. This variation 

 hasalso been noticed in Africa in the natural habitwt.pf the grass. Thestems, 

 after reaching a height of over 6 or 7 feet, become hard and woody. It has been 

 found by analysis, however, that the feeding value >>t' the mature stalk- is 

 comparable t>> that of maize stalk roughage. In most localities the grass 

 flowers mi maturity, but Beldoui sets ripe seed. ' m the northern rivers and 

 in Queensland ripe seed is formed to a small extent. Tin' flower heads have 

 the characteristic bristles of Fennisetum, and are I or 5 inches long. 



Adaptability to Soil and Climate. 

 To date Elephant grass has shown itself adapted to the coast, tablelands, 

 •and the slopes, and in the far west it docs well under irrigation. It will 

 grow on all clashes of soils, but gives the best results on alluvial, volcanic, or 

 good sandy loams. As a proof of its wonderful aptitude for growing on p ior 

 country it may he mentioned that some coastal land just south of Newcastle, 

 previously devoted to burrawang and useless scrub, has now Elephant grass 

 growing there in abundance, providing a considerable amount of good feed. 



Elephant Grass at Hawkesbury Agricultural College before being eaten off. 



Good result* have also been obtained on barren soils at the mouth of the 

 Manning River, and it should prove useful in bracken or useless scrub 

 country. 



Everyone who has grown Elephant grass has been impressed with the 

 remarkable rapidity with which it develops. In the warm months of the 

 year, if provided with plenty of moisture, it grows over 2 feet a week. Light 

 frosts do not severely affect it, but continuous heavy frosts will kill the flag 

 entirely, though without injuriously affecting the roots, for records from very 

 •cold localities show that it readily comes away again in the spring. In 

 western districts it seldom reaches a height of over 6 feet, but stoois 



