GRASSES OF NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

GRASSES OF NEW ZEALAND

DR. ALLAN'S EXCELLENT WORK _ "An Introduction to the Grasses of New Zealand" is the title of the new bulletin of the Department of Scientific ami Industrial Research, by Dr. H. H. Allan, botanist to the Plant Research Station Palnierston North. In a brief but pithy introduction, ' Dr. Allan stresses the immense importance to New Zealand of this branch of research, upon which the prosperity of our staple industries so largely depends. We are reminded of the fact that this country produces annually over 80 million tons of grass which are converted through the medium of animal life into moat, butter, cheese and wool. The grass plant is succinctly described and keys are provided for the determination of species. The body of the work consists of a complete list of the established grasses, both indigenous and introduced, which grow in New Zealand, with illustrative figures from drawings and photographs, all exceedingly clear and good of their kind. This is si work which will worthily fill a long-felt want, for the older standard books on the subject of New Zealand grasses, such as Buchanan, which deals with the natiye species only, have long been out of date, use a largely obsolete terminology, and are frequently inaccurate. Dr. Allan's work, on tho other hand, is based upon a profound theoretical knowledge of tho whole subject and upon long, practical experience. There is a new departure in the arrangement, according to which all the grasses are placed in one list in their natural order, not divided into native and exotic, as has been done in previous books. It is, of'course, stated in every case whether the plant is indigenous or not. This is undoubtedly the truly scientific way to handle the material and it is also the most convenient way for tho student. Tho book contains a most interesting and valuable account of the original state of the grasslands, followed by a similar description of tho new grasslands or pastures of our day. Dr. Allan is to bo congratulated on the completion of this preliminary part of his proposed work, which will be of tho greatest value to all students of the subject and in particular to all those agriculturists who study it as they should do. Tho more detailed work to which this is only an introduction will bo eagerly awaited.