178 
The word " alkali " is used in this paper in its popular sense, as applying to 
excessive accumulations in the soil of soluble salte of any kind, and not in its strict 
chemical meaning. 
The importance of the paper for our conditions consists in the information it 
contains concerning alkali, but in conjunction with leaching with Nile water. At the 
same time the plants which stand alkali best are worthy of note, and include Panicum 
crus-galU (Barn-yard Grass), Tamarix gallica (Tamarisk), Trifolium dexandrinum (Ber- 
seem), Gossypium spp. (Cotton). 
Indigenous Grasses. 
Spinifex hirsutus Labill. " Spiny rolling Grass." 
The coarse creeping stems attain an enormous length (I have followed them 30 
or 40 feet), powerfully rooting at the joints. On the principle that " a prophet is not 
without honour save in his own country," the merits of this native grass are apt to be 
overlooked in contemplation of the imported Marram Grass, whose merits I da not for a 
moment deny. 
Festuca littorcdis Labill. 
Cynodon dactylon Rich. " Couch Grass." 
Zoysia pungens Willd. " Coast Couch Grass." 
Imperata arundinacea Cyr. " Blady Grass." 
Exotic Grasses. 
Psamma arenaria R. et S. (Syn. Ammophila arundinacea Host.) " Marram 
Grass." 
Stenotaphrum americanum Schrank. " Buffalo Grass," the St. Augustine's 
Grass of the United States. 
Saccharum arundinaceum Retz. (Syn. S. cilare Anders.). The " Mung-grass " 
of India. 
Duthie* speaks of the value of this grass in sandy ground near rivers. 
For a further account of this grass, see Diet. Econ. Prod. India, vi (Pt. 2), p. 2. 
Saccharum spontaneum (" Kans-grass "). 
Plays an important part in the process of reclamation. Kans possesses an enormous amount of 
vitality in its stems, which are capable of producing plants at every node and joint.- (Duthie, op. cit.) 
For a further account of this grass, see Diet. Econ. Prod. India, vi (Pt. 2), p. 11. 
Both of these grasses are coarse, and are only eaten by cattle when young. 
* Report on Mr. C. E. Gladstone's planting and grass-sowing operations in the Umballa Distiict (India) 
The Agricultural Ledger, 1896, No. 21 (Agricultural Series. No. 18). 
These hills are composed of absolutely pure blown sand, but the grass, if planted in tufts during the rainy season, 
strikes root and very soon effectually retards any considerable advance of sand particles. Encouragement is thus given 
t the growth of other plants, which are less able to endure submergence in sand, and in this way the gio nd becomes 
reclaimed. 
