ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. lv. 
be grown in separate paddocks, and which would provide 
a more balanced ration than Paspalum alone. In attempt- 
ing to bring native grasses under cultivation the best 
results seemed obtainable from the species of those genera 
of grasses which were native to this country, but which 
were also found in different parts of the world. This 
appeared to imply that such grasses were plastic enough 
in their structure to respond to changed conditions. Many 
of the native grasses were being tried at Coonamble Ex- 
perimental Farm to determine the exact changes that take 
place in the composition and relative sizes of the grasses 
and herbage, typical of the black soil, (1) when overstocking 
was indulged in, (2) when grazing was carried out for a 
certain portion of the year, and (3) when a pasture was 
protected continually from stock. 
Certain native grasses were proving very promising for 
laying down in cultivated pastures in wheat growing 
districts. The everlasting or neverfail grasses of the 
interior, with their wiry curled-up leaves and densely hairy 
stems, were admirably adapted for hot, scorching winds 
and baked soils, but were most unhappy when removed to 
more congenial surroundings. The manner in which native 
grasses of the interior could stand up to the hot. summer 
conditions was remarkable, and it would be to the nation’s 
permanent loss were such a rich heritage lost or affected 
by bad management of pastures. 
Saltbushes and other native edible trees and shrubs 
should be developed much more than at present. The 
Grain Sorghums were also, as a result of selection and 
acclimatisation, producing most satisfactory results. The 
practical development of grasses and fodder plants was an 
important part of the work of the State Agricultural 
Department. 
