15 



cows grazed on it is said to be narcotic and injurious. 1 Some of the 

 ranchers of Hawaii consider it a pest; others say it is of secondary 

 value for the maintenance of cattle only. 



Pas pedum dilatatum (PI. II, 1), also known as Australian or large 

 water grass, is a native of South America, but was introduced in 1903 

 from Australia, where it has been grown for about 30 years. It is one 

 of the most valuable grasses yet introduced into Hawaii. It is true 

 that Bermuda grass, Kentucky blue grass, and a few others, occupy 

 larger areas, but probably the area in water grass will ultimately 

 exceed the areas in these other grasses. 



Kentucky blue grass is suited to high elevations, while the water 

 grass does well either high or low. The same objection holds against 

 orchard grass, soft meadow grass, and others. Bermuda is somewhat 

 more drought resistant, but the Paspalum crowds it out when mois- 

 ture is more available. While it makes little or no growth in very 

 dry seasons, it does not die out, but starts up with the first good rains. 



At sea level on the leeward coast, this grass makes fair growth only 

 during and foUowing the rainy season. The same may be said of it in 

 similar situations up to an elevation of 2,000 feet or more. Topog- 

 raphy and rainfall determine its economic value rather than eleva- 

 tion, while with many introduced grasses elevation is the important 

 factor. On the windward slopes its value is likewise determined 

 by the amount of rainfall, being greater where the rainfall is from 60 

 to 120 inches annually. It is not recommended for swampy regions, 

 but rather for semihumid conditions above elevations of 1,000 or 

 •1,500 feet, although it is valuable in the dry sections following rainy 

 seasons, often being more valuable than the annual grasses or weeds 

 which supply feed at such times. 



In the table of composition the high nutritive properties of water 

 grass as shown by the high content of protein and fat are apparent. 

 From the analyses one would expect that this would be a most excel- 

 lent grass for growing animals and keeping them in good condition 

 at all times. Results show this to be true. At Princeville plantation 

 cattle fatten on this at all seasons. Its palatability is noteworthy. 

 In mixed growths, the water grass is kept closely cropped, while 

 Bermuda and other grasses are allowed to grow several inches high. 

 Finer grasses, like the gramas, are grazed even more closely than 

 water grass when growing side by side and, not having the persistence 

 of the water grass, gradually give way to it. 



Under good conditions it is possible to make hay from this grass 

 as well as to use it for soiling. However, because of its habit of 

 growth, it is very difficult to mow with machine or scythe, but may 

 be cut with Japanese grass blades. It is difficult to cure because of 



» Maiden, J. H. A Manual of the Grasses of New South Wales, Sydney, 1898, p. 19. 

 67092°— Bull. 36—15 3 



