14 



SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



54736 and 54737. 



From llobart, Tasmania. Seeds collected by Victor O. Fletcher, Newnliam, 

 near Launcestoii, and presented by L. A. Evans, Acting Director of 

 Agriculture, lleceived March 9, 1922. 



54736. Danthonia setacea R. Br. Poacere. Wallaby grass. 

 "A good native grass.'' (Evans:) 



A valuable perennial pasture grass frequently less than a foot high, 

 common in many localities in Australia and New Zealand, The soft 

 narrow leaves are mostly short and erect and either smooth or some- 

 what pubescent with spread ng hairs. In the spring the dense, narrow, 

 brai ching panicles glisten with white-haired flowering glumes. 



The species of Danthonia are probably the most important economic 

 grasses of New South Wales. In New Zealand they are recommended 

 cn]y for the poorer soils of the South Island ; but in the North Island 

 they are considered very valuable pasture grasses and are credited w th 

 carrying two sheep to the acre. In New South Wales the Danthonia 

 grasses are commonest on the table-lands and slopes, where they consti- 

 tute about 90 per cent of the dominant grasses in well-managed pasture, 

 sometimes, indeed, monopolizing the whole situation. In coastal dis- 

 tricts tl ey are common in newly cleared areas, in scrub lands, and very 

 often in well-worked fallowed fields. In the western d stricts they are 

 just a little less abundant than on the slopes and table-lands. The 

 Danthonia grasses can therefore be termed the commonest and most 

 widely distributed grasses of New South Wales, and without them our 

 pastoral industry would suffer considerably. 



The danthonias are tussocky in habit, but they stool considerably and 

 will stand a great amount of grazing. Some of the species are rather 

 hairy, particularly those of the western plains, but evidently this is no 

 drawback as far as palatability is concerned. During the hot summer 

 months the grass dies off considerably, but can be revived in a wonderful 

 manner by rain. 



The value of the Danthonia grasses in respect to palatability, both for 

 cattle and sheep, has been well proved by every stockman. The forms 

 that grow abundantly in the coastal districts (Danthonia longifolia and 

 D. racemosa types) fatten horses and dairy stock very quickly; while 

 on the table-lands and slopes and in the interior some of the best 

 sheep in New South Wales are raised on Danthonia grasses alone. Even 

 when other grasses are completely dr ed up, the danthonias will produce 

 a fair amount of greenness in the bottom growth, and it is due to such 

 feed that the Riverina can carry excellent sheep during a dry spring and 

 summer. (Adapted from Bentliam, Flora Australiensis, vol. 7, p. 595, 

 and Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, vol. 31, p. 21^.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 53115. 



54737. Themeda austealis (R. Br.) Stapf. Poacese. Kangaroo grass. 



" Kangaroo grass is common in many places in Australia and grows 

 to a great height when left unmolested for a time. A peculiarity of this 

 grass, and one which seriously hinders its multiplication, is the fact that 

 it bears in its large ornamental flower heads very few fertile seeds. If 

 the farmer would only recognize this and remove his stock during spring 

 and summer from the fields in which kangaroo grass has a hold, a valu- 

 able fodder grass would be conserved; otherwise, there is a serious 

 danger of its being eaten out. The proof of this assertion can be seen by 

 observing the rich growth of kangaroo grass within many railway in- 

 closures, while without not a blade is to be seen. One would infer from 

 its height (it sometimes grows tall enough to hide sheep) and conse- 

 quent coarseness that it would not be favored by stock, but they are ex- 

 tremely partial to it." (Journal of the Department of Agriculture of 

 Victoria, vol. 15, p. 713, under Anthisteria imberbis.) 



54738. Aleukites fordii Hemsl. Euphorbiaceae. Tung-oil tree. 



From Pineville, La. Seeds presented by Albert R. Arey, superintendent. 

 Alexandria National Cemetery. Received February 27, 1922. 



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