E—7a.

4

Return of Experiments— continued.

Name. Prom whence introduced. Result of Cultivation. (a. .) Introduced Planti 3, oe Varieties op Plants — continued. Grasses. Spain U.S.A. The seed of these and of many other kinds has been sown, but without result, owing to wane of germinating power. Seed of the fescues and other European grasses was sown twice, the seed being each spring bought from different seedsmen, but without result. A dwarf compact grass, recently brought into cultivation. Ramieh Ked-top Bluegrass Festuca duriuscula „ rubra ;> „ pratensis Bromus patulus, var. Europe nan us Panicurn (allied to the true broom-corn) North America Sown rather late, but has flowered. The climate is perhaps not suffii-iently favourable to allow of its profitable cultivation. (i.) Nat: IVE G-KASSES AND Foi !AGE PiANTS UNDEE EXPERIMENTAL CULTUEE. Microlsena stipoides „ avenacea Alopecurus geniculatus Dichelachne crinita Speplachne ramosissima North Island ... Of quick growth. Well adapted for orchard and forest growth. Of small value for cultivation. Of easy cultivation, and affords a considerable yield. Apparently only adapted for ornamental cultivation, although it is stated that horses feed upon it in the Takaka ranges An elegant grass for decorative purposes, but of little value to the agriculturist, although it is frequently eaten by horses and cattle. A valuable mountain grass ; adapts itself to cultivation with rye-grass and other introduced kinds. Apparently of but little value. South Island ... Nelson Apera arundinacea Banks Peninsula Agrostis canina Waimakariri ... ,, semula Arundo eonspicua (toitoi). Danthonia raoulii, var. aristala Danthonia semiannularis Southland One of the "snow-grasses;" of greatest value during winter. Not adapted for cultivation. A common New Zealand grass, now becoming mixed with introduced kinds under cultivation. A small species found in shingle or gravel; remarkable for its deep-rooted habit. A small nutritious grass, forming a compact sward; a favourite grass with horses, but apparently not adapted for cultivation. A. handsome species: found in wet situations. One of the most valuable kinds for cultivation ; will take the place of the English oat-grass. Of no value for cultivation, except possibly in maritime situations. This is the typical form, and yields a large quantity of succulent herbage, but is not adapted for cultivation on the plains, although it seems likely to prove a grass of high value in mountain valleys. „ sp. Lake Forgyth ... Triodia exigua Thomas River ... Desehampsia cssspitosa Trisetum antarctieum ... Springston Southern Alps ... Glyceria stricta Port Nicholson Poa foliosa, a Stewart Island... „ anceps, (3. „ australis, var. ltevis Festuca scoparia ,, duriuscula Stewart Island. Port Nicholson .. Not adapted for general cultivation. Triticum scabrum Gymnostichum gracile.., Angelica gingidium (aniseed) Ligusticum aromaticum Schcenus pauciflorus (" snow-grass") i Bealey Gorge ... Banks Peninsula The lowland form; a first-class grass, adapted for all ordinary soils, and generally cultivated in Britain. An excellent cattle-grass, but appears to die out unless allowed to seed freely. A grass of considerable value in mountain districts. A valuable condimental plant, greedily eaten by stock of all kinds, but now dying out. Easily cultivated. Greedily eaten by sheep. A slender sedge common in mountain districts, and eaten alike by sheep, horses, and cattle, but is scarcely of sufficient value for cultivation. ... Papaver sornniferurn (opium poppy) Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) Hyoscyamus niger (henbane) ({'.) SuNDB 1 r DmTG-YIELDING PLANTS. Seeds imported last spring, but arrived too late to allow of a fair trial being made during the season. Young plants of each are now in stock, so that their adaptability for culture in this district may be tested uuder more favourable conditions.