55 



2. Setaria macrostachya, H. B. & K. 



Botanical name. — Macrostachya, from two Greek words — macros 

 long, and staclajs an ear of corn, in allusion to the comparatively 

 large, spike-like panicles. 



Vernacular name. — " Barley Grass." (I have given the name 

 " Barley Grass " to this kind on account of the resemblance it bears 

 to barley grasses, being far greater than that of any of the numerous 

 other grasses called by that name in Queensland. Bailey.) 



Where figured. — Bailey. 



Botanical description (B. Fl., vii, 493). — Much taller and stouter 

 than S. glauca. 



Leaves long, flat, often above \ inch broad. 



Ligula short, ciliate, otherwise quite glabrous in the typical form. 



Spike-like panicle 3 to 8 inches long, compound, usually very compact and cylindrical, 

 or the lower branches longer. 



Spikelets numerous on the lower branches, few on the upper ones, in dense clusters, 

 more or less interspersed with awn-like, barren branches, ovoid, acute, fully 

 If; lines long, glabrous. 



Outer glume about half the length of the spikelet, the second shorter than the third, 

 but variable in proportion ; all membranous, with prominent nerves. 



Fruiting glume often oblique or gibbous, always marked with prominent transverse 

 wrinkles, as in S. glauca. 



Value as a fodder. — A larger and better grass than the preceding. 

 i( Produces a great amount of feed, of which cattle are extremely 

 fond. Frequently found in scrubs bordering rivers. Has a 

 somewhat straggling* habit in the scrubs, but when sown in the 

 open field it has been seen to greatly improve, and from what I 

 have seen of it I consider it equal, if not superior, to S. italica. 

 Worthy of field culture, either for cutting for green fodder or for 

 grazing." (Bailey.) 



Mr. G. McKeown has tested it at the Experiment Farm, Wollong- 

 bar, and reports : "An annual grass which has produced a large yield 

 of fodder, making hay of excellent quality, suitable only for cutting, 

 as it would not withstand grazing." 



" This is called ' Hungarian Millet/ but has no origin in Hungary. 

 It grows with wonderful rapidity in warm weather, especially when 

 irrigation can be applied, although it will grow on ordinary soils and 

 under ordinary conditions in summer. It will reach a height of about 

 6- feet in two months in the hottest weather if a good shower or two 

 of rain should fall during January. The fodder is very nutritious, 

 and the seed can be sown at any time from October till February, and 

 will produce a crop within eight or nine weeks." (The Garden and 

 Field, vol. xv, p. 16.) 



Habitat and range. — Found in all the colonies except Tasmania and 

 Victoria. With us, only specifically recorded from the northern rivers, 

 but from interior localities in the other colonies. Widely diffused in 

 tropical Asia and America. 



