Kink.— Economic Properties of certain Native Grasses. 499 
— Keleria cristata, Pers. 
A slender grass of considerable value, although its yield is less than 
that of Meadow Fescue or Rye-Grass. It is highly nutritious and well 
adapted for mixed permanent pastures on ordinary soils. Of similar habit 
and value to the Dog’s-tooth Grass, Cynosurus cristatus. 
In New Zealand it is restricted to the South Island, where it ranges 
from the sea-level to 3,500 feet. Cultivated in England. 
Trisetum antarcticum, Trin. 
A nutritious grass, affording a considerable yield of slender herbage, 
eaten by horses, cattle, and sheep. It is found throughout the Colony, but 
is most abundant in the South Island, ranging from the sea-level to 4,500 
feet. It is one of the most valuable of our Native Grasses, and should form 
part of all ordinary mixed pasture, especially in rather moist soils. I am 
inclined to prefer it to the European T. flavescens—the Yellow-oat Grass, 
which is generally cultivated. 
Glyceria stricta, Hook. 
This species is confined to maritime localities, ranging from the North 
Cape to Dunedin, and, although not very nutritious, is occasionally eaten 
by horses and cattle. It is, however, inferior to other grasses for cultiva- 
tion in salt marshes and places liable to marine inundations. 
Poa imbecilla, Forst. 
A slender species, occurring in greater abundance and luxuriance in the 
South Island than the North, but not adapted for cultivation on account of 
its brief duration, although it is always eaten where it grows in abundance. 
Poa breviglumis, Forst. 
Not uncommon on sandy soils, especially in maritime situations, where 
it is closely cropped by stock of all kinds. A grass of great value, well 
adapted for general cultivation, especially on light or sandy soils, although 
it does not yield so heavy a crop as the Common Meadow Grass. This 
species will be found of great value in the reclamation of coastal sand 
wastes, 
Poa foliosa, Hook., f. 
Of this valuable species there are two forms :— 
a. With long leafy culms, the leaves longer than the culms, and yield- 
ing a large amount of herbage. This variety is confined to the Auckland 
Islands, etc. 
p. is distinguished by the broad leaves, shorter than the culms, and the 
singular drooping habit of the paniele. It is common in mountain districts, 
where it ascends to nearly 6,500 feet, and is everywhere greedily eaten by 
sheep, horses, and cattle. 
In all probability both forms would prove suitable for cultivation on 
cool moist land. They appear to be adapted either for special crops or for 
general mixtures, 
