SELECTED FODDER GRASSES 589 



conditions it grows from 10 to 15 "feet in height and yields very large crops. 

 At Madras, under irrigation, a single crop gave a yield of about 20 tons per 

 acre ; the crop for the year may be 50 to 80 tons. Cattle and horses are very 

 fond of it. 



Ischaemum ciliare. " Rat-tana," S; " Nandu-kanni," 7\ A common 

 perennial grass, found at all elevations in Ceylon. At one time commonly 

 grown under the shade of coconuts near Colombo and brought into town as a 

 fodder for cattle. 



Ischaemum muticum. A common grass in damp situations near 

 Colombo, large quantities of it. according to FERGUSON, "being collected by the 

 grass-women for horse food in Colombo." In the jungle, where it obtains 

 support, it is a tall grass and grows to several feet in height. 



Ischaemum timorense ( Spodiopogon obliquivalvis). A slender 

 Draggling grass, common in the low-country, usually inhabiting damp and 

 shady places ; an excellent plant for green fodder. MR. JOWITT has pointed out 

 that this grass is remarkable for its aerial roots, which become embedded in 

 gelatinous matter during the monsoon rains. 



Panicum Burmanni. Pagister grass, or Scotch grass of the West 

 Indies. It is found chiefly in wet land, and so prolific is it that a single acre is 

 recorded to be " sufficient to maintain five horses for a whole year." 



Panicum Crus-galli. Ccckspur-grass, " Wel-marukku," S. An annual 

 grass, of which there are several varieties, 1 to 3 ft. high, found in the low- 

 country of Ceylon and throughout the tropics. An excellent fodder, especially 

 esteemed in Queensland. WATT describes one variety of this in India as the 

 quickest growing of all the millets, being harvested in some localities within six 

 weeks of being sown. 



Panicum maximum. Guinea grass, " Rata-tana," S. This well-known 

 species constitutes one of the best fodder grasses of the tropics. In Ceylon it 

 holds first place as regards the low country. It has been introduced here from 

 tropical Africa, and thrives best on deep alluvial moist soil, flourishing from sea- 

 level to about 3,000 feet or higher. Near Colombo, it may be seen thriving on 

 almost pure sand, sometimes reaching a height of 4 to 6 feet. Under good cul- 

 tivation it can be cut four or five times a year, each cutting capable of yielding, it 

 has been estimated, 20 tons or more per acre. Seldom produces seed here, but 

 is readily propagated by division. 



Panicum barbinode ( =P. muticum). This is known by various 

 names, as Mauritius-, Para-, Water-, and Buffalo-grass, also " Diya-tanakDla," S. 

 It is a somewhat coarse, vigorous plant, thriving and spreading rapidly in damp 

 places, often taking complete possession of the soil. It has rather succulent stems 

 and leaves, with the nodes distinctly hairy, and roots readily at the joints ; the 

 latter are said to grow after passing through animals. In Ceylon, where it is 

 naturalised at the lower elevations, it may be considered as ranking next in im- 

 portance to the Guinea-grass, whilst it is also much grown in other tropical 

 countries, as the West Indies, Florida, Mauritius, and Bengal. It is a native of 

 tropical America, and was introduced to the Eastern tropics about 1850. 



Panicum repens. " Et-tora," S. A widely distributed grass, common 

 in Ceylon from sea-level to 6,000 feet elevation, and thriving equally well in dry 

 sandy soil as in marshes. On some estates it is a common weed, albeit an ex- 

 cellent fodder for cattle, and large quantities of it used to be brought into 

 Colombo for this purpose. 



