COMMON PASTURE GRASSES. 27 



In the North Island, on the other hand, Danthonia is 

 often looked upon as a valuable pasture grass, and is sown 

 either broadcast, or by buying sheep in autumn off Danthonia 

 country such as Nelson. On the hills north of Wellington 

 Danthonia country is reported to have a carrying capacity 

 of two ewes per acre. 



Danthonia seed is saved to some extent in New Zealand. 

 It is very Ught and fluffy, and difficult to sow by hand or 

 machine. The two varieties are mixed in most samples 

 purchased. Where it is possible to buy them separate 

 D. pilosa is very much the better variety. An average 

 price of the seed is about Is. 2d. per pound, but it varies con- 

 siderably from year to year. 



Rice Grass or Microloena {Microloena stipoides). — This 

 is another native grass. It is rather low growing, has 

 rounded sheaths, and a noticeable tuft of hairs in the position 

 of the hgule. There are sometimes seen properly formed 

 ears, but always at the base of the blade are two expansions 

 different in colour from the blade, and suggesting the bases of 

 ears. The leaf is broad and of a rather hght green colour. 



Microloena is a permanent grass occurring chiefly in the 

 Auckland Districts. It is useful only for poor lands, and 

 indeed is usually sown for only one particular purpose. 

 In some cases manuka when cut and burnt comes up again 

 so thickly as to choke out all the grasses usually sown. 

 It is then that Microloena is used, and it is found to resist 

 the manuka to a greater degree than any other grass avail- 

 able. The seed sells at about Is. 3d. per lb. 



Tall Oat Grass {Arrhenatherum avenaceum) . — A taU 

 growing dark-green grass with long and wide but thin 

 and papery leaves. On the upper surface of the leaves the 

 hairs are disposed in Unes, as can be seen if the leaf is held 

 with an end in each hand and then looked at lengthways 

 with one eye closed and the other at a level with the blade. 



