140 ON SALT-BUSH AND NATIVE FODDER PLANTS 
To arrive at the value of a fodder plant, there are many proper- 
ties which have to be taken into consideration, besides the actual 
nutritive value as ascertained by analysis, in determining their 
suitability for grazing, such as the rapidity of growth of the plant, 
ability to withstand drought and constant cropping, and accepta- 
bility in respect to flavour to the cattle. On such points it is 
ond my power to speak, but it appears to me a subject of suf 
ficient importance and interest to induce some of those who have 
the opportunity to make accurate notes on the plants in this direc- 
tion, and publish the results. 
The order in which the salt-bushes proper are considered to 
stand from a grazier’s point of view, are Ist, A. nwmalaria, or old 
man salt-bush ; 2nd, the dwarf salt-bush, the others not being 
so much considered. The cotton-bush is considered to be of 
be judged from the proximate analysis of the immature ee 
arison with the 
shows that the 
regard t0 
An examination of these analyses, and a comp 
examples of well known European fodders given, sh 
whole of these plants stand in a good position with 
nutritive value. 
Like the greater number of the plants of the natural Bee 
Chenopodiace they contain an extraordinary amount of ash, a 
preponderance at once strikes one on looking at ae perme 
of common salt. I can only find one analysis of a plant of” 
same genus, viz., A. verrucifera from the Kergis Steppe see 
specimens 
as high as from 30 to 42 per cent., as determin he EAE 
author,’ and many of these plants were formerly, and ve ee 
— are even now for local use, of much importance 2 ® ©” — 
soda. : ee 
In the following columns are given the ratios in ee the to 
ash, the common salt, and the potash stand in relajoh™” 
1 Gobel, Watt's Dict., 1-474. oe 
2 Watt's Dict. V. p. 176. . 
