Curl. — On Grasses and Fodder Plants. 887 



plants, aud 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, aud, 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 acchmatized here, but their characters may be changed in 

 the dkections 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 diflerent climates, and how greatly they have been changed 

 and grown into the numerous varieties and kinds at the will of the gardeners, 

 orchardists, and agricultmists, 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 wiU 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 dm'ing 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 climates will be useless. 



EuchlcBna luxurians, the teosint or reana grass. — Having tried this mag- 

 nificent grass for two years, it appears to promise to be a grass that, in 



