Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 21 



will grow and furnish feed nearly all the year round in the coastal districts, 

 but during early summer months it yields a great amount of rich succulent 

 herbage greedily devoured by stock of all kinds. If cut when the flowers 

 appear it makes excellent hay. This grass is worth the attention of dairy 

 farmers, as milch cows are fond of grazing upon its rich succulent herbage. 

 When left undisturbed for a time it produces a great amount of seed which 

 ripens in November and December. 



EKIOCHLOA PUNCTATA, Hamilt. 

 " Early spring grass." 



An erect perennial grass of 2 to 3, or even more, feet high. It is found 

 growing over a greater portion of the Colony from the coast to the arid 

 interior, and in some situations it is fairly plentiful. This grass is found 

 growing on various kinds of soil, but the one that suits it best is a deep 

 chocolate loam, where it will produce a rich succulent herbage, much 

 relished by all herbivora. In sheltered situations in the coastal districts 

 this grass will grow all the year round, but in the arid interior it only grows 

 during the summer months. Its tough, fibrous roots penetrate the soil to 

 a great depth, which enables it to withstand a very long spell of dry weather. 

 During its growing period this grass is easily recognised by its glaucous 

 appearance. Under cultivation it produces a great amount of herbage 

 which can be made into excellent hay. When left undisturbed for a time it 

 produces a great amount of seed, which ripens in November and December. 

 In the interior the inflorescence of this grass is sometimes affected with a 

 parasitic fungus probably an ustilago. 



FESTUCA BKOMOIDES, Linn. 

 " Barren fescue." 



An annual species of variable habit ; sometimes only a few inches high, 

 at other times over a foot in height. It is found generally all over the 

 Colony, from the coast to the interior. It is very common on poor, sandy 

 soils in the county of Cumberland during the winter and early spring months, 

 but dies on the approach of summer. This grass is of no value for forage, 

 nor for anything else in the economy of nature that I know of. It produces 

 a great amount of seed, which ripens in September and October. 



FESTUCA DUBIUSCFLA, Linn. 

 " Sheep's fescue." 



An erect perennial species, growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high. This grass 

 is found in the colder and mountainous parts of the Colony. It is adapted to 

 a great variety of soils, but it prefers those that are light and rich, and under 

 these conditions yield a fair amount of succulent herbage, of which sheep are 

 particularly fond. This grass possesses the quality of withstanding, in a 

 marked degree, the drought in summer and the cold in winter. Some forms 

 of this species are often used in making lawns, and if well kept down with 

 scythe or machine, in a short time will make a good sward. If left 

 unmolested for a time this grass produces a fair amount of seed, which 

 ripens in November and December, but in very cold places a month or two 

 later. 



