["A. R."—Baron von Mueller, has obliged us by identifying the grass forwarded by you as the cockshin grass (Panicum Crus Galli). It is one of our best grasses when in its awnless unpiercing state, as the one sent. It is not of long individual duration, but this is compensated for by the ease with which it disseminates itself. Not on all places will it thrive, preferring humid loose soil. Its growth is rapid. Possibly seeds are purchasable in Melbourne. It is not possible to say whether in your locality this Panicum would answer for regular culture to be used for green fodder or to be converted into hay. This can best be ascertained by actual experiments, but the grass Itself is fit for both.]1
Panicum Crus Galli
This edition contains several responses by M to specimens of this species, sent by correspondents to the Weekly Times, Australasian and Leader, the main rural-oriented weekly newspapers circulating in Victoria in the 1880s and1890s.
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'The Yeoman. Answers to correspondents', Australasian (Melbourne), 22 February 1896, p. 341. Assuming that M's reply would be published in the next available issue in this weekly newspaper, it is dated to 14 February as the likely earliest date it would have been sent.
There are other notes from M in the same column; they are treated as separate communications in this edition as the queries may have been sent to him as soon as specimens arrived, then dealt with as individual replies.
Please cite as “FVM-96-02-14b,” 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