[From the Government Botanist, Baron von Mueller, we have received a specimen of panicum spectabile, or "coapim" grass, which, according to the learned botanist, is valuable as a fodder, or for planting in public reserves, etc. It is something similar to fodder grass, and therefore likely to be of great value to pastoralists. The plant has a network of roots, and the grass is of jointed variety with a pointed leaf, and of a handsome green color.]1
Panicum spectabile
The article continues with a paraphrase of the entry in B91.09.01, including the account of its growth in Fiji almost verbatim. For other newspapers that received at this time rootstock for distribution or a specimen of the grass, see M to Bairnsdale advertiser and Tambo and Omeo chronicle, 16 March 1893, and notes thereto.
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'A valuable grass. It should be given a trial.', Colac herald, 24 March 1893, p. 2. It is dated to 20 March 1893 by comparison with other newspapers printed the same week that also announced receipt of specimens. It would have arrived the day that the previous issue was published.
Please cite as “FVM-93-03-20d,” 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