Curt.—On Grasses and Fodder Plants. 887 
plants, and thus by careful selection secure the finest varieties ; but, also, 
it is well to choose some that are earlier, or later, or hardier than others, 
and by sowing these kinds, and saving the seeds from the earliest, latest, 
and hardiest of these again, gradually to work up to a standard of excel- 
lence that the original did not possess, and, by continuing this process, 
after a time a variety will be attained that will possess and maintain a dis- 
tinct character, and be perpetuated as a distinct kind or race. 
By this process are plants acclimatized, and those that at first are with 
difficulty cultivated, or even made to grow in a locality, are, in successive 
generations, after a careful selection of their seeds and plants raised from 
these seeds, brought to adapt themselves to the climate and conditions of 
their new home, and it is my experience that thus grasses and other plants 
may be not only acclimatized here, but their characters may be changed in 
the directions that the experimenter may wish or see desirable. But in 
spite of the assertion of those who do not know what can be done, “ That 
acclimatization is impossible," and “ that it is impossible to change the 
character of plants ;”’ in this, and other respects, we have only to remember 
the hundreds of plants that are now growing in Europe and America, that 
came from very different climates, and how greatly they have been changed 
and grown into the numerous varieties and kinds at the will of the gardeners, 
orchardists, and agriculturists, who have taken the trouble and time to 
establish a new race or variety of grass or other plants possessing par- 
ticular excellence. 
We will now proceed to consider the special merits of a few more kinds 
of grasses that may be advantageously grown in New Zealand, distinguishing 
those that are most suitable for culture in the summer only, or at that 
season being most useful by their more vigorous growth while the hot and 
dry season lasts, and which, introduced into the northern parts of these 
islands, will maintain their verdure and vigour while other grasses are parched 
up with the heat and drought. 
I will also point out a few others that have proved themselves hardy 
enough to be introduced into the South, and that I have found will grown 
during the autumn and winter, when the summer grasses are at rest, or 
have ceased to be so nutritious. 
Andropogon montanus.— This fine grass during the summer is one that 
the cattle, sheep, and horses much relish, it is a good grass here during 
summer and autumn, and in northern districts it has a longer season 
than further south; it should be sown by all graziers in warm climates 
where grass not suited to such elimates will be useless. 
Euchlena luzurians, the teosint or reana grass.—Having tried this mag- 
nificent grass for two years, it appears to promise to be a grass that, in 
