147 



■tried from time to time in Soutli Africa, with varying degrees 

 •of success, as is to be expected from tlie exceedingly variable 

 climatic conditions. Paspalum dilatatum is now extensively 

 grown all over Soutli Africa, and is one of the mose valuable. 

 It prefers fairly moist conditions, but will live through 

 •drought. It does best at altitudes below 4,000 feet. P. vir- 

 gatnm resists frost and drought fairly well. It is more upright 

 tind taller than P. dilatatitm. Eragrostis ahyssinica (Teff 

 grass) is an annual which is grown for hay very successfully 

 over all the High Veld areas of Natal and the Transvaal. It 

 is considered one of the best grasses that have been introdiiced. 

 Pennisetwm, longistyliim fKikuyu) is a new introduction from 

 British East Africa. It has creeping stems, which root at the 

 nodes, and has to be propagated by planting. It prefers the 

 warmer parts, but has been used successfully for making the 

 lawns at the Union Buildings, Pretoria. It grows very quickly 

 and is likely to prove most valuable for pasturage. It seems 

 able to resist fairly adverse climatic conditions. Phalaris 

 coerulescens {Ph. bulhosa or Ph. conimutata) is rather widely 

 grown over South Africa. It has vigorous growth and gives 

 Tich pastjirage. It' is hardy and frost resisting. Chloris 

 £ayana (Hhodes grass) is a native of South Africa (see in 

 previous sections) and gives, a good hay. It is rapid in its 

 wrowth and drought resisting. Eleusine indica (uMunyan- 

 komo) and Eleusine coracana (uPoko) are also native grasses 

 ■which give good pasturage. 



The above are all well adapted for the Eastern side of 

 South Africa where there is summer rainfall, though they may 

 be grown successfully in other parts. In the regions of winter 

 xainfall (the S. Western region) the native grasses, as we haive 

 seen, belong to temperate tribes, and there the European cul- 

 tivated grasses are more at home, though, as a matter of fact, 

 "they are also grown on the Eastern side. The perennial rye 

 grass {Lolium perenne), the Italian rye grass (L. italicum), 

 "the Red Fescue (Festuca rubra), the Jfew Zealand Tall Fescue 

 {Festuca elatior var. nvundinacea). Sheep's Fescue {F . ovina), 

 Slender Fescue (F. tenuifolia), Meadow Fescue {F . pratensis), 

 Chewing's Fescue (F . duriuscula var.), Cocksfoot (Dactyli.i 

 gloTuerata), Creeping Bent grass {Agrostis stolonifera) , Tall 

 •oat grass (Avena elatior), Timothy [Phleum, pratense), Crested 

 Dogstail (Cynosurus cristatus), Rescue or Prairie grass 

 [Bromus uuioloides), Awnless Brome grass (5. inermis), 

 Meadow grass (Poa pratensis), are all grown, usually being 

 sown in mixtures as recommended by the seed merchants to 

 suit wet or dry conditions, or sown singly. 



