18 



to start the seeds and the grass comes up long after one has despaired 

 of it and given a verdict of "bad seed." 



Judging from one season's trial at the experiment station it is 

 fully as drought resistant as P. dilatatum, but under these conditions 

 is much less vigorous in its growth, and although it spreads more 

 rapidly because of its creeping stems or runners, it furnishes less feed 

 than P. dilatatum. Were it strong enough to crowd out the latter 

 grass, the advisability of planting it might be questioned, but as it 

 has not done this, it seems to be of value and may be planted in 

 mixtures. 



Holcus lanatus, velvet grass, meadow soft grass, or Yorkshire fog, 

 commonly called mesquite in Hawaii, is, according to M. J. Sutton, 1 

 "one of the most persistent and troublesome of the worthless grasses, 

 possessing structural endowments which insure its continued exist- 

 ence under extremely varied conditions." These "endowments," 

 however, make the grass of value in Hawaii. At elevations of from 

 4,000 to 7,000 feet this becomes one of the main pasture grasses. 

 It is able to withstand drought and frost. It thrives also under 

 better moisture conditions. 



In Australia the grass is little liked, and in Oregon and Washing- 

 ton it occurs as a weed among better meadow grasses. While no 

 doubt of less value than Kentucky blue grass or orchard grass, at 

 certain seasons in Hawaiian pastures it is of great value in mixtures, 

 and at the higher elevations particularly. 



Poa pratensis, Kentucky blue grass, was introduced into Hawaii by 

 Captain Makee at Ulupalakua about 1879 or 1880. This grass is 

 one of the principal pasture grasses of the humid portion of the 

 United States, Canada, and other countries, and its value is too 

 well known to require comment. It is persistent against drought 

 or overstocking, becomes green and grows with the first rains, but 

 becomes dr} 7 and brown during the hot, dry months. Stock on 

 blue-grass pasture require other feed at such times to obtain best 

 results. This grass occupies considerable areas in Hawaii, between 

 4,000 and 6,000 feet in elevation on Ulupalakua, Haleakala, Parker 

 ranch, Humuula, Puuwaawaa, and in the Konas. It furnishes 

 grazing for about four or five months and carries one head for every 

 3 or 4 acres for that length of time. Wherever found it is a fine 

 fattening grass. 



Dactylis glomerata, orchard or cocksfoot grass, occupies large areas 

 in Hawaii at elevations of 4,000 to 6,000 feet. It is a large, coarse 

 grass, occurs in clumps rather than in an even sod, does not spread, 

 and is of slightly less value than Kentucky blue grass for fattening, 

 although it is a palatable, nutritious grass. It also becomes dry 

 and brown during times of drought, but there is some feed available 



1 Permanent and Temporary Pastures. London, 1902, 6th ed., p. 150. 



