PASPALUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 151, 29 June 1927, Page 19

PASPALUM.

KOW IT WAS INTRODUCED. % \VHEi:i: THE CREDIT BELONGS. Interesting information relative to the introduction of pnspalum to New Zealand i> contained in a letter received by the editor from Mr. Edward Hallett, of Henderson. >!r. ilalirtt writes a.follows: — '"I claim to be the first to introduce the paspalum to New Zealand, 30 year* ago. I was employed by the Bank or Australasia in Sydney. Every week-end I spent either on the Parramatta or Hnwkesbury rivers. It was on the latter river 1 camp across this grass whilst staying with nn old friend, it Devonshire farmer. He had a farm of ■'•• acre.-, and milked SO cows. His rhwjue I'ur the seas<-.:i averaged £I'J a cn\. The farm was cut up into small |inddoi'!.s of about 5 acres. His plan was to continually keep the discs going; ;iie mot- miir-t le'cut to preserve the paddock-. It i> well-known that pasr.alum will kill itself and kill black lorry rr any other*novious weed. Beinsi interested in agriculture in England, when coming to- New Zealand I brought -everal r-o'Mi-l-i weirrht of paspalum seec ■\itii !•■• Tl<i> vn- th" threshed seed. Where Paspalum First Grew. 'i I 'iu:ht John Lamb's estate at Khcihead from the (Assets Co.) Bank •i New Zealand, ihat was the lirsi place on which the pnspalurn was sown in New Zealand. From Rivcrhead it •jot distributed right through the north. Messrs. Ross and Siddie. well-known cattle dealers sit that time, always, stayed at my place, and generally spent the night, when taking through large mobs of cattle, and T have come to- the conclusion that was the means by whicii the grass has heen spread through tin , north. After selling Riverhead to the New Zealand Paper Company. I went to Mercer, and lxnight a large swamjtrom the Government—l had about 300 c acres. I drained this swamp partially, and se::t to Sydnev for 1 f>o sacks ot nn=inlum «»M THs co<-d was in Mercer for ed a lh. Seed merchants at this time were charging 5/ a lb for band-shaken seed. "The farmers were in a great way abe-ut the introduction of this noxious weed to New Zealand. T think some wr-nt >o fir a> to report t'ie matter r« the Agricultural Department. Mr. E. I lifton was. I think, at that tinr» lieuci of the Department. lam Hire he would toll some tiile? about the same grns>. 1 sowed a nmntity on tbe KinK« r>t th" Wp'lento. The fir=t vpnr I rmd" two stacks of hay, but unfortunately (■••■ fortunntelyi the came They took the stacks down the river and spread the grass to the Waikafn Heads. It is a treat to go through some parts of the north to see the naspahim growing. I claimed a rewan: from the Government for first introducing paspalum. but I have not had a favourable response.' .