182 Essays. 
The grasses of Otago are numerous and valuable for fattening stock ; 
and they would probably repay the trouble and expense of being improved 
by cultivation, as they might prove more suitable to the climate, and more 
nutritious than English grasses. 
So much depends on the nature of the soil and humidity of the climate, 
that the finest grass is often found at considerable altitudes. Thin clayey 
soil, or light soil on recent gravel terraces, under the influence of arid winds, 
will produce but a poor pasture of very few species; while in the little 
valleys of mountain ranges of the primitive rock formations, at altitudes 
even exceeding 2,000 feet, the pasture will be abundant and consist of many 
species of grasses. 
Nothing can show greater ignorance of grass conservation than the 
repeated burning of the pasture in arid districts, which is so frequently 
practised. The finer species of grass, having fine fibrous roots ramifying 
near the surface, are either destroyed by the fire or afterwards by sun or 
frost ; while the coarser tussock grasses, spear-grass (Aciphylla), and many 
plants worthless as pasture, having large succulent roots, strike deep in the 
soil and are preserved. Much of the grass land of Otago has been thus 
deteriorated, since its occupation, by fire, and it is no wonder that many of 
the runs require eight acres to feed one sheep, according to an official esti- 
mate. It is a fallacy to suppose that grass country requires repeated 
burning to clear the surface of the excess of plants, as the old and withered 
grass forms shelter to the young shoots, protecting them from parching 
winds, sun, and frosts. It is no doubt owing to the protection afforded in a 
similar manner by the snows of winter and spring, that the most mountain- 
ous parts of the province up to the line of perpetual snow, if free from bush, 
are valuable as summer pasture. 
At an altitude of from 2,000 to 4,000 feet, according to latitude, will be 
found a belt of coarse, unnutritious tussock grasses ; but above this, in the 
alpine zone, many alpine grasses are found, which though short are succulent 
and nutritious. This alpine zone is much frequented by sheep in summer, 
the highest ridges having sheep tracks on them. On Mount Alta, near the 
Wanaka Lake, sheep feed at an altitude of 6,000 feet, and on the Kaikouras, 
in the Province of Marlborough, at an altitude of 8,000 feet. 
Grassrs.—The following grasses have been collected in Otago, and most 
of them were named by Dr. Hooker. : 
For the present purpose they are divided into three classes :— 
First quality,—as forming, naturally, the best pasture. 
Second quality,—those inferior in quality and restricted distribution. 
