The grass is the Linnéan Panicum Sanguinale, from the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. It spreads widely over the warmer regions of the globe and has lately reached our colonial territory also. It spreads fast from seeds, it very fattening and is much relished by flocks and herds.1
Panicum Sanguinale
The article continues by further discussion, including details from 'Baron Von Mueller's work "Select Plants Readily Eligible for Industrial Culture or Naturalisation in Victoria,"' (B76.12.04), including suggestions that other Panicum species listed may be worth trying in the district. B76.12.04 is also cited in apparent contradiction to M's distribution data given in the quotation: 'The species now to be seen at Ararat has not, as far as we are aware, hitherto been found in this neighborhood, although we learn from the work quoted from that it is apparently indigenous to East Australia, but as it sprang from a heap of street sweepings it is probable the seed was brought here in the packing used for olive oils, sardines, or some other product of the south of Europe.' M had evidently not seen it from Victoria when B76.12.04 was issued, although Bentham (1863-78), vol. 7, p. 469, lists a specimen from Vic.
Letter not found. The text used here is from Ararat and Pleasant Creek advertiser and chronicle for the District of the Wimmera, 27 April 1880, p. 2, col. c. The quoted text is from an article introduced by 'A new and apparently very valuable species of grass has latterly made its appearance in the garden at the Borough Chambers, in Vincent-street. Our attention having been directed to it last week a sample was forwarded to Baron Von Mueller, to whom we are indebted for the following description:—'. M's reply is dated to 24 April 1880 as the likely latest date it would have been written to have been received in time to appear in this issue.
Please cite as “FVM-80-04-24a,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on