SOUDAN GRASS-A PROLIFIC VARIETY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 March 1915, Page 3

SOUDAN GRASS-A PROLIFIC VARIETY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The great merits of tfiis wmderful plant deserve to Ue more widely known as all those who have tried it eulogise it greatly. It is a native of North Africa-, as its name denotes, and ha*s been grown in America for some time past with the most satisfactory results. It is a tall, annual grass, growing from sft to 10ft liigli, with leafy, erect stems, which frequency number 100 to the stool. It prod ones about three tons or more per acre of nutritious fodder, twice in a season and can be pastured in winter. The grasri cures easily, and makes hay of excellent quality, wlncTt Is readily eaten by all classes of stock. ft is very drought resisting-and will succeed wherever sorghum can be grown, and also in many places where other grasses are difficult to establish. A prominent official says: "No other crop yet introduced into the United States became so generally popular in so short a time as the Soudan grass. It has made a record for iteelf wherever it has b?cn tried. The hay is very tender, even when the grass is allowed to mat we ite seed, and has a sweetish taste •) nd pleasant odour which causes It to be relished by all kinds of stock. It is

greatly appreciated in the western part of the United States Tjeeause of its wonderful drought resistance, a.d

heavy yielding powers under semiarid conditions. Texas dairyman are proud of Soudan grass tor they kn ->w that it means more to the dairy business than anything that has been done on behalf of the industry in many years. It will most certainly prove a great boon to dairy farmers who ■ 1wavs require abundance of fodder for their herds, but more especially ro those whoso rainfall is light and ; neertain.—l am. etc..

B. H.AFRTSO.V. FRIT Burringbar 1'.0.. NS.W March 23rd, 1915 .