Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 55 



I recently have seen some very fine samples that were grown in the Colony. 

 This grass would pay to cultivate to supply our local market, but not for ex- 

 port. It is of comparatively easy culture, and only occupies the ground for 

 a few months of the year. The soil best suited to its growth is a good open 

 sandy loam, not too rich, otherwise it will make a quantity of leaf and stem 

 at the expense of the seed. It is not a good pasture grass, for it takes such 

 a slight hold of the ground that cattle grazing upon it often pull it up by the 

 roots. The following chemical analysis was made on the November growth 

 of this grass by Baron von Mueller and L. Eummel: Albumen, T59; 

 gluten, 6*14; starch, 1*03; gum, 6*64; sugar, 2'86 per cent. Another 

 analysis made by the same gentlemen in the same month gave : Albumen, 

 1'06 ; gluten, 5'64 ; starch, O98 ; gum, 3'22 ; sugar 4'20 per cent. 



PHALAEIS MINOE, Eetz. 



" Lesser canary grass." 



An annual species, widely distributed in the coastal districts, but not of 

 any value from an agricultural point of view. It produces a fair amount of 

 seed, which is like the smallest grains of canary-grass, and might be used 

 for a somewhat similar purpose. The seeds ripen in November and 

 December. 



STENOTAPHEUM AMEEICANUM, Schr. 

 Here called the " buffalo-grass." 



A rather coarse perennial species, creeping and rooting at the base, and 

 rarely exceeding 1 foot in height. It attains its greatest perfection in the 

 coastal districts when grown on loose soils. It will not bear much frost, 

 neither will it grow well in the arid interior. It is admirably adapted for 

 making lawns, garden -edgings, binding river banks against the fury of flood- 

 waters, and it is not destroyed by being submerged for a few days. Once it 

 gets well established it is difficult to eradicate. It was this grass that my 

 friend, Mr. J. C. Bell, reared with so much advantage on the Island of 

 Ascension, where it was thought hardly anything would grow. There is much 

 diversity of opinion as regards its value for forage, some asserting that it 

 makes splendid feed, whilst others argue the very opposite. From personal 

 experience, which has extended over a number of years, I may say that 

 pasture animals will not eat it when other herbage is plentiful. Baron von 

 Mueller and L. Eummel give the following analysis, made on the late spring 

 growth of this grass : Water, 80'25 ; albumen* 0'50 ; gluten, 5'44; starch, 

 0'08 ; gum, T60 ; sugar, T60 ; fibre, 10'53 per cent. 



