GRASSES THAT THRIVE WHILE FEED IS SCARCE. (QUEENSLANDER.)

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 389, 10 November 1874, Page 2

GRASSES THAT THRIVE WHILE FEED IS SCARCE. (QUEENSLANDER.)

A dry spring, following a cold raw winter, is the tiuio to look after the grasses that stand the test. At such a time, at the present time, feed is very scarce, any grass that continues to grow is of sufficient value to invite further attention to its habits and merits. In the annexed list we submit a few indigenous grasses that, from their vigour at this trying season, have claims for more than ordinary attention. First amongst grasses at this time is the common couch, the Cynodon dactylon of botanist. During the cold weather this grass shrivelled "with the others ; but the dry winds which finished many other grasses have put vigour into the couch, and without any rain it shows fresh green points, and is actually springing. The buffalo grass has also proved itself a stand-by during the winter, and in warm localities is already showing signs of growth. In rich soil the winter frost 3 have not destroyed the mass of sod made during last growing season, and there is a strong bite of grass btill. First amongst the native grasses, strictly speaking, is the very productive Paspalum orbiculare of Robert Brown — " cow grass," some people call it, and which the learned botanist of Victoria, Baron yon Mueller in " Fragmenta Phytographise Austi-a-line," vol. viii, page 156. says is identical with the East Indian species Paspalum scorbiculatum of Linnaeus ; and certainly when these two are grown together, as they were at Bowen Park last year, it would be difficult to distinguish the one Irom the other. The only difference noticeable was that the introduced grass was rather more soft and succulent than our indigenious species ; but it speaks in favour of this grass that it should have been thought worthy of being introduced by the Acclimatisation Society of Queensland. This valuable grass has a very wide range in Australia, for, according to Baron yon Mueller in the work above quoted, it has been gathered iix New England and on the Blue Mountains, and we are glad to say it may be found plentifully over the greater part of Queensland. It is decidedly the best winter grass found in the Brisbane district. It produces seed in abundance, and as it will stand either dry or wet soil, it cannot reccommend its merits and call attention to it too .strongly. Another good winter grass is that known to botanists as Helopus annulatus. This may be easily distinguished by its lively light green color. It is pretty common in our pastures, and has the advantage of standing the cold of our winter months, and producing good sweet herbage. This also is a good productive grass, and takes well to either high or low lands. On low-lying lands no better grass can be wished for than a rather tough species to be met with commonly along our creeks and low damp places, called Sporobolus indicus. This species is very productive all the year round, and from the close manner in which cattle and horses eat it down they must be very partial to it. Its seed, also, which is produced in abundance, is the principal food of some of our grain-eating birds. Another grass that we should like to see cultivated is the Andropogon falcatum. This species is rather common on the high lands of East Moreton, and keeps growing all through the winter. It forms a very close bottom, and would be admirably adapted for laws or where a close turf is required. A very productive grass may often be seen luxuriating on our hill-sides having an easterly aspect. It is found plentifully on some of the hills so situated at Enoggei'a. This species, Andropogon procerus, seems to stand through the winter about as ■well as the Anthistiria, the well-known kangaroo grass ; and also like that species it is among the first to spring forth at the approach of warm weather, In sheltered situations may be noticed, during our cold months, several kinds of Punioum ; such for instance as P. marginatum, P. eflfusum, P. flavidum, and others, with various kinds of Andropogon, Eragrostis, Aristida, and Sporobolus ; and here and there, on some sheltered hill-side, a lively patch of that beautiful little grass, Microltena stipoides. As we advance into the sjiring months, we notice a sprinkling of two English grasses — viz, Poa annua and Briza minor, which, in point of usefulness, must give place to the fine fodder grass to be found plentifully in early spring, called Stipa dischelachne of Steudel, which is one of the most valuable of our spring grasses. It will be found often in company with another good specie 3, Festuca billardierii of Steudel. In places along the Brisbane river these two species are at the present time in full flower. Poa Parviflora. This is another good winter grass. All through the year we find it springing up and producing good herbage. It is a very quick grower, and seeds in abundance, thus proving itself a valuable fodder grass : but at the same time it is also a troublesome garden weed. It must be understood that the above remarks apply entirely to the East Moi-eton district — the extent of our present investigations. It is to be hoped somo one has taken notice, and will send us specimens (with roots and flowers if possible) of the various grasses on the Darling Downs and other parts of the colony. We should like to know how the Anthistiria avenacea of Mueller stands through the winter. This is better known as " oat grass," and is mof-t assuredly one of the finest summer grasses known. We should also like to know whether any of the varieties known by the local names — blue grass, white top, &c — are of value for winter feed.