Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 27 



Its fine roots and suckers spread rapidly, forming soon dense matted 

 sods [Dr. C banning]. It starts into new growth immediately after 

 being cut, is selected for its sweetness by pasture-animals, has proved 

 one of the best grasses for dairy ground, and suppresses weeds like 

 Hordeum secalinum. One bushel of seed to an acre suffices for 

 pastures ; two bushels are used for lawns. A. perennans (Tucker- 

 man) is an allied species of similar value. 



Agrostis Solandri, F. v. Mueller. 



Extra-tropical Australia and New Zealand. Produces a large 

 quantity of sweet fodder in damp localities [Bailey]. Valuable as 

 a meadow-grass [W. Hill]. In Australia it is essentially a winter- 

 grass, but available also in our sub-alpine regions [J. Stirling]. 

 Highly relished by all kinds of pasture-animals [Fr. Turner]. 

 Chemical analysis in spring gave the following results : Albumen, 

 4-08 ; Gluten, 8-81 ; Starch, 1-34; Gum, 2'50 ; Sugar, 975 per cent. 

 [F. v. Mueller and L. Rummel]. Under the name A. Forsteri 

 (Roemer and Schultes) only some forms of this very variable grass 

 are comprehended. Dr. Solander was the discoverer. 



Agrostis vulgaris, Withering. 



Europe, Northern Africa, Middle Asia, North- America. One of 

 the perennial grasses which disseminate themselves with celerity, 

 even over the worst of sandy soils. Though not a tall grass, it may 

 be destined to contribute perhaps with other? largely to the grazing 

 capabilities of desert-lands ; yet it will thrive also even in moist soil 

 and alpine regions, and is essentially a grass for sheep pastures ; 

 counted by Hein and many others also among valuable lawn-grasses. 



Ailantus glandulosa, Linne". 



South-Eastern Asia. A hardy deciduous tree, reaching 60 feet in 

 height, of rather rapid growth and of very imposing aspect in any 

 landscape. Particularly valuable on account of its leaves, which 

 afford food to a silkworm (Attacus Cynthia) peculiar to this tree, 

 Wood extremely durable, pale-yellow, of silky lustre when planed, 

 and therefore valued for joiners' work ; it is tougher than that of oak 

 or elm, easily worked, and not liable to split or warp. In Southern 

 Europe this tree is much planted for avenues. Valuable also for 

 reclaiming coast-sands, living even on somewhat saline soil, and to 

 this end easily propagated by suckers and fragments of roots, accord- 

 ing to Professor Sargent. The growth of the tree is quick even in 

 poor soil, but more so in somewhat calcareous bottoms. Thrives on 

 chalk [Vasey]. Professor Meehan states, that it checks the spread 

 of the rose-bug, to which the tree is destructive. In Norway hardy 

 to latitude 63 26' N. [Schuebeler], but suffers from frost in youth. 

 The bark is used in the Levant as a vermifuge medicine. G-oats will 

 not devour saplings of this tree. 



