GRAMINES. 63 
as the result of eating large quantities of the rougher and tougher forms. 
Gahnia appears to contain an unusually large proportiom of fibre and of 
ash, the latter often forming 9g to 12 per cent. of the dry weight. 
GraMINE& (Grass Famity). 
Flowers small, enclosed in chaffy scales, forming spikelets. Stamens 
three, rarely two or six; ovary single, superior, with usually two stigmas. 
Flowers usually bi-sexual, but sometimes uni-sexual (Maize, &c.), The 
grasses are the most important economic order of all plants, yielding more 
food and fodder products than any other group. It is only necessary to 
mention here such native or introduced grasses as are agricultural or horti- 
cultural pests, or are likely to become so. No definite poisonous alkaloid 
has hitherto been isolated from any grass, although some, when. infested 
by fungi (ergot, &c.), become poisonous to stock. This applies espe- 
cially to Lolium temulentum, L., the Darnel Grass, and Paspalum scrobi- 
culatum, L., the Khoda Millet or Hureek of India, which is also native 
to New South Wales. Naturally, grain containing black ergot bodies is 
highly poisonous, and the broken grain sold for fowls often contains 
ergot grains, which the fowls may swallow with fatal effects. A compara- 
tively small number of fresh ergot grains suffice to injure or kill a horse, 
cow, or sheep, and rusty straw and smutty grain are also injurious. Hence, 
suspected: fodder should always- be first examined for the presence of 
poisonous fungi. In addition, the changes induced by mould fungi in 
fodder or badly preserved silage often render it poisonous or highly in- 
jurious. Some grasses or grass seeds exercise a strong purgative action, 
which, in excess, may become dangerous. This applies to the rhizomes of 
Bromus purgans, L., and B. catharticus, Vahl., both natives of North 
America, which have not yet appeared in Victoria. Other grasses which, 
when young, are good pasture plants, become highly obnoxious when old 
on account of their barbed adherent seeds, which cause great injury and 
suffering, more especially to sheep and lambs. This applies especially to 
the genus Szipa and its allies. 
Agropyrum (Triticum) repens, L. The True Couch Grass. This is one 
of the later introductions into Victoria, and seems likely, if neglected, ulti- 
mately to become one of our most troublesome weeds in agricultural land, 
as it is already in England. As in the case of Nut Grass, it is eaten by 
stock, but cannot. be termed a good fodder plant, and if allowed to spread 
and seed freely, it rapidly deteriorates a pasture by suppressing better 
pasture plants. In pasture land, the larger clovers help to keep it and 
Nut Grass down, but if left too long the pasture can’only be cleaned and 
improved by bringing it under cultivation for a time. The land should be 
ploughed in spring when fairly dry, and a heavy drag harrow run over it. 
Dry clods can be broken by running over a roller, smooth or corrugated, 
and followed by a light harrow. The rhizomes can then be raked in 
heaps and burnt when dry. If a heavy green winter crop is then put in, 
either at once or after a second working, the land will usually be much 
improved and comparatively clean. Like Nut Grass, the plant will grow 
in almost any kind of soil that is not absolutely sodden, or perfectly -arid, 
but -oth plants are most difficult to remove from heavy, undrained soil. 
On such land, thick patches are best forked over before ploughing. Stack- 
ing a manure heap on the patch has been recommended for the same pur- 
pose, but it takes two years to suppress the weed, during which time the 
manure might be put to better use, instead of being allowed to waste. 
On paths, the edges of fields, and waste places, the two weeds can be 
prevented from seeding by cutting, and forked out if too abundant, or if 
spreading into the field. Poisons are useless. The rhizomes may come 
up from a depth of three feet or more, and will bore through bulbs like 
