PRAIRIE GRASS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 13

PRAIRIE GRASS

A USEFUL PASTURE Occasionally reference has been made on this page to the good results obtained in Canterbury by growers of prairie grass. These references, it is true, have been few and far between, as the grass is not very much used, but the writer recalls a visit he made to a Rangiora farm two or three years ago, where the cow carrying capacity appeared to be largely dependent on the heavy growth of the grass. The farmer in the case was emphatic about its good results in dairying. Possibly one of the reasons of it not receiving much publicity is that it is mainly a cattle feed, and the efforts of most farmers in Canterbury are directed to the improvement of sheep pastures. The illustration on this page to-day shows a crop of prairie grass growing at Elderslie (Oamaru), a property for many years associated with the breeding of thoroughbred horses. Mr Ken Austin, the managing director of the company, speaks highly of the grass for horses. In a note, he says that the stand was sown five years ago on a well-drained slope, which had been thoroughly worked up and a fine seed bed prepared. The seeding was 61b of prairie grass, 31b of cowgrass, and 11b of white clover to the acre. The seed was broadcast after the ground had been rolled, and the sowing was followed by a light discing, chain harrowing, and a final rolling. It was sown down in the autumn, and after getting it well established it was lightly grazed when thought advisable. It has been regularly limed, and occasionally dressed with a medium dressing of reverted super. “It is an extraordinarily valuable green fodder crop for thoroughbred horses, and makes most palatable and easily digested hay, which I have found especially valuable in the after treatment of intestinal complaints such as scouring,” adds Mr Austin. The crop is easy to harvest, as it stands well against the mower, and unless there is too much clover through it is readily made. CENTENARY ROYAL SHOW PREPARATIONS AT INVERCARGILL EXTENSION OF GROUNDS The committee of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association is already making preparations for the Royal Show Centenary, which will be held there early in December of next year. With this show in view and with the object of eventually enlarging the grounds, the association recently purchased an additional Hi acres of land adjacent to the grounds. Part of this area is at present in the rough, but part has already been cleared and sown down, and at the recent show was used as stock paddocks. A railway siding runs for the full length on one side for the purpose of unloading or loading stock. The new area is bounded on one side by the Waihopai river, the bank of which' will be planted with trees, which should be of great protection to the whole grounds from the southerly weather. Added to the present acreage, the additional 11£ acres will probably make this Invercargill Show Grounds the largest in New Zealand. Suggested Change of Dates The centenary character of the next Royal Show should make it one of the largest yet held in New Zealand, as there is certain to be an exceptionally large representation of South Island