54 Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 



POA GLAUCA, E.B. 



" Glaucous poa." 



As far as is at present known, this grass has not made much headway in 

 the country, so that very little is known of its value as a pasture grass from 

 an Australian point of view. 



POA PKATENSIS, Linn. 

 " English meadow grass, or Kentucky blue grass." 



A perennial species, which is spreading very rapidly in the coastal districts. 

 It may generally be found on light dry soils, where its underground stems can 

 easily ramify, and they soon form a perfect mat. It is a capital grass to 

 withstand dry weather, and its dark green foliage may be seen when the 

 surrounding grasses are dried off. I have used this grass for making lawns 

 and binding embankments, and I can highly recommend it for such purposes ; 

 but I cannot advise it to be sown in pastures that are occasionally brought 

 under cultivation, for its underground roots are most difficult to exterminate, 

 and would very soon smother a tender crop. Although it makes splendid 

 verges to gravel walks, or flower borders, still it cannot be recommended, for 

 the underground stems are difficult to keep in order. This grass is a rather 

 shy seed bearer. It produces its flower panicles only once during the season, 

 The seeds ripen in November and December. It is easily propagated, how- 

 ever, by the division of its roots. 



Mr. Martin J. Sutton gives the following analysis of this grass : 



Grass in Dried at 



a natural state. 212 Fahr. 



Water 65'81 



Soluble albuminoids 



*Insoluble albuminoids T81 5'31 



Digestible fibre 9'29 27'17 



Woody fibre 15'24 44 -57 



tSoluble mineral matter I'll 3'24 



^Insoluble mineral matter 1*42 4'13 



Chlorophyll, soluble carbo-hydrates, &c. , 5'32 15'58 



100-00 100-00 



*Containing nitrogen '29 '85 



Non-albuminoids nitrogen -15 '44 



Total nitrogen -44 12'9 



^Containing silica "40 T17 



JContaining silica 1'13 3'29 



POLYPOGON MONSPELIENSIS, Desf. 

 " Beard grass." 



An annual species, growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high, which is generally 

 found in the coastal districts, but nowhere very plentiful. It is of no 

 agricultural value, however, and would be likely to become a pest in culti- 

 vated ground if allowed head-way. It produces a fair amount of seed, 

 which ripens in October and November. 



PHALAEIS CANAEIENSIS, Linn. 



" Canary grass." 



An annual species, which is now widely distributed throughout the 

 Colony, and in some places during the early summer months it may be seen 

 in fair quantities. This grass produces the canary seed of commerce, and 



