Kirx.— Economic Properties of certain Native Grasses. 497 
forms a dense sward under the Tea-tree, where it is kept as closely cropped 
as if constantly mown. A walk over the cropped surface gives the sensa- 
tion of walking over the surface of a hard-bristled brush. 
This species is somewhat tussocky in habit when not closely cropped, 
but yields a vast quantity of extremely nutritious herbage, although of a 
slightly harsh quality. 
Agrostis canina, L. 
A variable plant; in this Colony restricted to mountain districts, where 
it ascends to 5,000 feet. The larger forms afford a moderate supply of 
nutritious herbage, but except in sub-alpine districts it offers no advan- 
tages to the cultivator. 
Agrostis pilosa, A. Rich. 
This species occurs from Lake Taupo southwards, but is most abundant 
in the South Island; where it ascends from the sea level to 3,500 feet, and 
attains its greatest luxuriance in open places in forests. It is coarser in 
habit than the last, and yields a much larger quantity of valuable herbage. 
It appears to be well adapted for mixed permanent pasturage on ordinary 
soils. 
Agrostis quadriseta, Bn. 
A variable grass, attaining great luxuriance on ploughed land of ordinary 
quality. It is usually eaten by horses and cattle, but is scarcely worth 
cultivation. Found throughout the colony, and ascends the mountains to 
8,500 feet. 
Danthonia cunninghamii, Hook., f. 
Occurs from the Bay of Islands to Otago, but is rather local; ascends 
to 2,500 feet. 
Danthonia flavescens, Hook., f. 
Southern Island, ascending to 8,000 feet. 
Danthonia raoulii, Stend. 
From the Ruahine Mountains, to Southland, ascending to 3,500 feet. 
The above three species are the chief “snow grasses" of the South 
Island, but the first is less plentiful than the others, and its herbage not 
quite so harsh. All are large “tussock ” grasses, the leaves being often 
from 3-5 feet in length. After the flowering season, the large grain, which 
they produce in great abundance, forms the chief food of cattle and horses 
which can gain access to them. The coarse stringy herbage is not much 
eaten except when snow is on the ground and the smaller grasses are not 
accessible. It is, however, a common practice to burn off the tussocks in 
the spring to encourage a younger growth, which is greedily eaten by sheep, 
but the tussocks are speedily destroyed by this process. 
It will be seen that, although of great value in the early settlement of a 
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