15 



The most reliable way to propagate this grass is by division of the 

 roots. It perfects little seed (Turner). 



Anthistlria avenacea, F. v. M., " Tall Oat Grass," of New South 

 Wales. — Not in Natal. 



Astrcbla pectinata , F. v. M., North and East Australia. — Not in Natal. 



Astrcbla triticoides, F. v. M. (Danthonia triticoides, Ldl.), "Mitchell 

 Grass " of Australia. — Not in Natal. 



Cynodon dactylon* Pers. — A prostrate perennial grass with very 

 narrow glaucous green leaves. It is widely distributed in all hot 

 countries, and extends also into temperate regions. It passes under 

 various names such as " Bahama Grass," " Indian Couch Grass," 

 " Doub," and " Doorva." It is an important grass for covering bare, 

 barren land, and for making smooth compact lawns. It resists 

 extreme drought, and once established in cultivated land it is very 

 difficult to eradicate. It is easily established by planting small 

 portions of the rooting stems about 8in. apart. If done at the beginning 

 of the rainy season the ground will be completely covered in six 

 weeks. It may also be propagated by seeds, which are now readily 

 obtained in commerce. It should, however, never be planted except 

 in places where it is required to remain permanently. When grown 

 specially for fodder, in enclosed paddocks, it yields three or four crops 

 in the year, and makes excellent hay. In very dry seasons in the 

 West Indies, animals exist almost entirely on the underground 

 rhizomes of this grass. 



Eragrostis abyssinica, Link, " Teff." — Seed of this grass was 

 received from Kew in 1887, and distributed to many applicants. It 

 was very favourably reported on as a quick-growing fodder grass, but 

 since that time I have heard nothing of it. • 



Euchloena hcxurians,-\ Miers (Reana luxurians, Durieu). " Teo 

 sinte." — An annual grass of large size, from Guatemala, allied to the 



maize It is a tall, densely-tufted grass, sometimes 



reaching 15 feet in height, the stems are as thick as the thumb at the 

 base, and the leaves 3 to 4 feet long, by 2 or 3 inches broad. Dr. 

 Schomburgk, in 1880, wrote from the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, 

 South Australia : " I have now cultivated Teosinte for three years, 

 and it is one of the most prolific of fodder plants." 



Mr. W. R. Robertson, Agricultural Reporter to the Government 

 of Madras, wrote as follows in July, 1883 : "A small plot was sown 

 with this crop. The out-turn of green fodder was at the rate of 

 38,400 lbs. per acre, a very large out-turn, but the cost of production 

 was great, for it was necessary to irrigate the land nearly every other 



day, from sowing until harvest On good soils, under 



liberal treatment, when it can obtain plenty of rain, or irrigation 

 water, the crop grows most rapidly and luxuriantly ; but it cannot 



stand a drought There is, perhaps, no other crpp, 



sugar cane excepted, which will produce such an enormous quantity 



* This grass is a native of Natal, but is not, I think, much esteemed. It is 

 known to the Zulus as Isinande. 



f Seed of this plant was introduced into the Colony many years ago, and it 

 is still occasionally seen in cultivation, but does not appear to find much favour 

 with farmers, probably because sufficient attention has not been given to its 

 requirements in regard to moisture. 



