EDITORIAL. 
be held in London in 1920. It is considered that such a Conference 
would serve a number of useful purposes, of which the two most 
important are— 
(a) It would be valuable as ‘bringing together the official 
entomologists, who would discuss problems of Imperial 
importance in the prevention of the spread of insect- 
borne diseases; and 
(b) It would afford an opportunity of placing the entomo- 
logists in closer touch with the Imperial Bureau of 
Entomology and of settling lines on which that Bureau 
can render further assistance to the different parts of 
the Empire. 
In many of the problems in which the Institute is concerned, 
entomological work is of the first importance. The Institute, there- 
fore, approves of the proposal to hold the Imperial Coriference, and 
thinks it desirable that the Commonwealth should be represented. As 
neither the Commonwealth Government nor the Institute has an official 
entomologist, and, with a view to save expense, the Institute has re- 
commended that advantage should be taken of the presence of Professor 
R. D. Watt, M.A., B-Se., Sydney University, in London next year to 
officially represent the Commonwealth at the Conference. 
INDIGENOUS GRASSES AND FODDER PLANTS. 
The Institute has received a report on the above matter from the 
Standing Committee which was established as the result of the 
Inter-State Conference of Agricultural Scientists convened in Mel- 
bourne by the Institute in November, 1917. The purpose for which 
the Committee was appointed was to deal with the collection, 
propagation, improvement, and cultivation in suitable areas of 
indigenous grasses and fodder plants. 
Mr. G. L. Sutton,. representative of the Committee in Western 
Australia and the Commissioner for the wheat belt in that State, has 
found that Sudan grass in Western Australia has produced better 
results than the native grasses. This was also the case in. New Sonth 
Wales last summer, but it must be remembered that the drought 
conditions were phenomenal, so that the results from last season are 
inconclusive. Moreover, Sudan grass must be treated as an annual. 
It should, however, occupy a useful place in the semi-arid districts of 
Australia. The demand for seed of this grass for the interior of 
- New South Wiales has been remarkable. 
Thorough investigations into the germination and growth of native 
grasses were carried out by Mr. W. J. Spafford, the Committee’s 
representative in South Australia. The results achieved in regard 
to the ready germination and persistent growth of Wallaby grass 
(Danthonia semi-annularis) should help to extend the reputation 
which this grass has already obtained in New South Wales. Plots of. 
this grass are being extended in New South Wales with very little 
difficulty, and as many sheep-breeders consider it the best “all the 
year round grass” we possess, this development is a matter of consider- 
able importance. As in South Australia, Australian millet (Panicum 
335 
