26 



manager plans to have a full growth by October 1 as a reserve on 

 which to draw during those months. 



Tricholsena rosea, Natal redtop, is another African grass which 

 has been well tried out in the Territory. It is primarily a hay grass, 

 but has some value for grazing. Much of the seed to be had is not 

 good. When started, however, it grows rapidly and stools wonder- 

 fully. Seed was planted on a plat at the experiment station in 

 November, 1912, and three months later the plants were over 2 feet 

 high and blooming. One month later isolated plants showed over 

 300 flowering stems. The young growth is tender, but the old 

 stems are wiry and tough. The grass ratoons readily if there is suffi- 

 cient moisture present to start growth, and may make four to six 

 crops annually. It is easily cut and cured for hay, but according to 

 the composition, it is rather poor in quality. 



On the Molokai ranch Mr. Munro observed that this grass seeded 

 heavily at the beginning and close of the rainy season and would 

 not stand close grazing in the paddocks. The writer observed that 

 practically all of the Natal redtop was in protected or inaccessible 

 places, and that it did not withstand grazing. On the Haleakala 

 ranch it occurs more frequently than upon Molokai and is valued 

 for semidry places of medium elevation. At Princeville plantation 

 the greatest value was obtained when planted with Paspalum dilata- 

 turn, to furnish early feed until the latter became established. As 

 a pasture grass Natal redtop is recommended for dry or semidry 

 locations (or for a nurse crop for water grass in humid sections) of 

 medium to low elevation. It should never be overstocked and 

 should be allowed a period of rest for recuperation and seeding, as 

 is recommended for Rhodes grass and pili. 



Andropogon sericeus, Australian blue grass, is perhaps the best of 

 the Australian blue grasses. It closely resembles Natal redtop until 

 headed out. It is a soft-bearded grass, with good seeding habits and 

 easily established. It is slightly superior to Natal redtop in com- 

 position and will apparently outyield it. Like the latter, it is a hay 

 grass, " valuable alike for pasture and for hay, very fattening, and 

 much liked by stock of all kinds." 1 It has not been tried out as a 

 pasture grass in Hawaii, but from its similarity to Natal redtop it 

 should probably succeed under the same treatment as recommended 

 for that grass. 



Andropogon saccharoides , feather blue stem, feather sedge, or fuzzy 

 top grass, is found on Molokai and Niihau ranches, and on the leeward 

 side of Kauai. 



Andropogon (Ileteropogon) contortus, twisted beard grass, tangle 

 head, pili, is well known, being widely distributed. It occurs from 



1 Maiden, J. II., loc. cit., p. 7S. 



