June 1, 1909 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
13 
Phaliaris Com mutata: 
The Monarch of Grasses. 
Thorough Frost-resisting; Stands Feeding’ or Cutting; Grows best in Winter. Attains a 
Height of 7 feet. 
Extract from “ The Australasian,’ May 18, 1907. 
Phalaris commutata was introduced into 
Queensland in 1884 by Mr. Harding, the 
curator of the Toowoomba gardens, being 
one of many varieties of grasses obtained 
by him from America. What 
he says of it appears to have been borne 
out by all others who have tried the 
seed “The seeds” he said, “* were 
sown in drills, »nd all germinated and 
made good growth until the first frosts, 
which killed all except one, Phalaris com- 
mutata, Requiring the ground space for 
Other purposes, 1 removed this grass, and 
simply dumped into a corner of the nur- 
sery taking no particular care of it, Al- 
though the ground was very hard,it made . 
tremendous growth in 1 year, germinated 
where it had fallen, and in twelve months 
grew into clumps 2ft across and dft in 
height, with nice, soft, succulent blades, 
and flowering stems. This has been cut 
two or three times in the year, The roots 
are fibrous, and the foliage very dense, and 
a bright green, especially during 
the winter. Visitors from all parts 
of the Commonwealth, who were shown 
this grass, were surprised how it stood the 
drought. To graziers and dairymen I 
particularly recommend it, being par- 
ticularly productive thr ughout the year, 
and is easily propagated. The seed is small 
and glossy. During the 93 drought some 
roots were in a bag for six weeks, and the 
_ only difference it made was that the foli- 
age was slightly yellow, though the plants 
kept growing all the time,» It seems to 
like all kinds of weather. and from the 
rapidity of its growth it excells all other 
grasses I have had anything to.do with. 
By its own self sowing, it has covered 
a large amount of space in the nursery.” 
How to Plant it. 
Mr. Furphy, whose experience of the 
grass corresponds with that given by the 
Queensland botanist, states that his trials 
Excellent for all Climates. 
have been made on poor, light soil, and he- 
estimates that if properly attended to and 
given a light dressing of superphosphate, 
it would yield 8 tons of dried hay to the 
acre per annum, These are very big fig- 
ures, and the grower who got half that 
return should be well satisfied that he has. 
found a valuable new fodder plant. ‘I 
obtained,’ he said,“a few plants, and 
transplanted at the end of April, and 
whilst putting them out in drills 3ft apart 
and 2ft in the drills by the end of June 
they had made a growth of 2ft, sending on 
the shoots, until by the end of the season, 
ag many as 167 seed-stems had been pro- 
duced by one plant, the height being about 
an average of 7ft. It was a severe winter, 
but not a yellow leaf could be seen.’ He 
suggests that the seed should besown in a 
bed like cabbage-seeds, and when the 
plants are sufficiently strong, should be. 
transplanted 3ft apart each way. 
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Grows in Winter. 
Kelished by all kinds of Stock. 
Hay is of excellent quality. 
Very nutritious. 
Wonderfully prolific. 
_ Stands grazing well, 
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