90 



doubt it may become a pest in cultivated ground. I only bring it 

 again under notice at the- present time because I think it is not as 

 generally known as it should be, and if it escapes into cultivated 

 ground, if pigs be carefully enclosed, they will eradicate it. That it 

 is poisonous in the ordinary sense I do not believe ; but I have seen it 

 so rampant and succulent that I can readily understand that stock, 

 unused to it, might do themselves injury by gorging themselves with it. 



Other uses. — Diithie says that the seed of this grass is collected 

 in Bikanir, India, ground and mixed with the flour of Pennisetum 

 typhoideum, and eaten by the poorer classes. He also states that 

 native pens are made from the stems. 



Habitat and range. — This is a truly Australian grass, being 

 indigenous to Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland, 

 In our own Colony it is found as far west as New England. It also 

 occurs in the Pacific Islands, the countries around the Mediterranean, 

 and is largely distributed in Asia. It is not a native of America, 

 although it is so much cultivated in the United States, from which 

 country most of the seed sent out by seedsmen has been originally 

 obtained. I doubt whether any seed is collected from the indigenous 

 New South Wales grass, which appears to be confined to the coast 

 districts. 



Most of the remarks which have been made in regard to this grass 

 have been based upon non-Australian forms of it, and I trust that it 

 will be thoroughly tried in the arid regions of the west. I fancy it 

 has been tried in the vicinity of the artesian bores ; but, if not, it 

 would appear to be of singular promise for such situations. It flourishes 

 in alkaline soils, and it could readily be ascertained in what localities 

 it takes up so much alkali as to be distasteful to stock. 



In experimenting with such a grass as this in arid places, disappoint- 

 ment might at first result through seed being used which was raised 

 in the moist coast lands of Australia, or any other country ; but, with 

 care, drought-resistant seed might be saved in a very few seasons. It 

 bears such a good reputation for droughty localities that it is worth 

 taking some pains over. 



This grass (imported seed) has been introduced into New South 

 Wales for many years, although, as already remarked, it is far from 

 being generally known even yet. A few years ago, the late Rev. Dr. 

 Woolls (who lived at one time near the Hawkesbury) , stated that the 

 settlers in that district looked upon it as a recent importation, and that 

 the seed had been distributed under the name of Panicum spectabile — 

 quite a different grass. 



At the present time the catalogues of most of our leading seedsmen 

 offer it, so that good seed is readily available. I have noted all the 

 warnings that can be given in regard to the grass ; but its good 

 qualities far outweigh any possible bad ones, and I would again submit 

 it to careful attention. 



Reference to plate : — (a), Portion of panicle ; (b), Showing female spikelet, and one 

 male (stalked) spikelet. A second male spikelet has been broken off where shown ; 

 (c), Female spikelet opened out, showing awn and three glumes. 



