COMMON PASTURE GRASSES. 



25 



parts it takes most of the summer to recover from the 

 unfavourable effects of the winter, and so produces feed 

 only in Autumn. Even in Auckland this objection holds 

 to a considerable degree, so that 

 Paspalum is purely a summer 

 grass. 



Rich and heavy swampy soils 

 are most suited to its growth, 

 and in pure swamps it effects a 

 wonderful transformation in a 

 few years, solidifying and binding 

 them, and covering them with a 

 luxuriant growth. Its very strong 

 rhizomes, however, make it quite 

 unsuitable for land which is likely 

 to come under the plough, and the 

 fear has been expressed that there 

 is by far too much Paspalum 

 in North Auckland. Foxtail or 

 Cocksfoot would be much more 

 profitable. 



The seed is largely imported from Victoria, and owing 

 to its irregular ripening is often of very low germinating 

 capacity. Seed shaken out, not cut, is much better, but of 

 course more expensive. The rhizomes are sometimes 

 planted instead of sowing seed, but the planting method is 

 applicable to only very small areas. Seed sown in Autumn 

 very often lies dormant tiU next summer, but then germinates 

 quite satisfactorily. The average price is about Is. Id. per 

 pound. 



Danthonia {Danihonia semiannularis and D. pilosa). — 

 The above two species, which are natives of New Zealand, 

 are confused under the name Danthonia, and from the 

 farmer's point of view one description will apply to 



Fig. 14. 

 Paspalum dilatatum. 



