20 PASTURE PLANTS AND PASTURES OF N.Z. 



The small rhizomes, while never forming anything Uke 

 a twitch, enable the grass to obtain a good hold on the ground 

 and to spread slightly as it reaches its full growth. The three 

 striking disadvantages of this grass, that prevent its being 

 more widely sown are as follows : (1) It is suited only to lands 

 where there is always sufficient moisture without water- 

 logging. A heavy rainfall is not essential if the soil has a 

 high water retaining capacity, and on the other hand it will 

 succeed on medium soils with a rainfall approaching 60 

 inches. The grass is quite useless in hght or medium soils 

 where the rainfall is under 40 inches. (2) It takes a year or 

 two to estabUsh its full growth, and therefore is useful for 

 only permanent pastures. (3) The seed is Ught and fluffy, 

 difficult to sow, and of very low germinating capacity, as 

 a rule not over 50 per cent., and sometimes as low as 10 per 

 cent. Thus many attempts at using this grass profitably 

 have failed. But is clear that Meadow Foxtail has a distinct 

 sphere of great usefulness, and indeed it is regarded in 

 England as absolutely the best grass for permanent pasture 

 in heavy land^such as drained swamps. In mixtures for 

 such soils Foxtail should always be included, as there are 

 numerous examples of its great success in both Islands of 

 New Zealand. 



Seed was formerly largely imported but is now harvested, 

 chiefly by hand, in the Manawatu District. Although this 

 seed is better than that imported from Europe, yet its 

 germination is uncertain, and it should always be tested 

 before purchase. Samples germinating 60 per cent, are 

 good. The seed is bulky, weighing about 10 pounds per 

 bushel, and an average price is Is. 4d. per pound. European 

 seed is often adulterated, and Colonial seed impure, so that 

 a sharp look out should be kept for worthless admixtures. 



Creeping Bent, Fiorin or Brown Top. — {Agrostis alba 

 and other species). — An exceedingly variable grass, which. 



