FARMERS’ AND FARMERS’ UNION COLUMN.

Northland Age, Volume 19, Issue 33, 17 November 1921, Page 3

FARMERS’ AND FARMERS’ UNION COLUMN.

KIKUYU GRASS ON NORTHERN GUM LANDS. Kikuyu-grass, roots of which were imported from Rhodesia,has given very promising results both at the Albany and Puwera Experimental Areas (northern gum lands). On these areas sufficient roots were available during the year to plant fairly large olots. The grass was grown without anv added fertilizer, and has flourished even in the hot, dry autumn. It withstands the cold also. At Puwera, where the thermometer registered 30 degress F. on three separate occasions, the grass did not “burn off.” At Albany, however, the first severe frost turned it white, and it ceased to grow afterwards until the spring. It has now been under trial for two years. Lotus major and Lotus hispidus grew up as volunteers among the kikuyu-grass, which was a decided advantage, because the presence of the legumes assisted the growth of the grass and brought about an improvement in the feeding-value of the pasture Horses and sheep taken off a pasture of mixed grasses and clovers and turned on to the plots ate the kikuyu-grass readily, showing that as regards palability it gave satisfaction.' In Africa it is thought highly of, and in New South Wales, where trials have been in progress for some years on poor lands,it has been demonstrated that stock like it, particularly dairy cows, and they milk well on it. It should be a useful addition as a special pasture or in a mixture in districts where the summer is long, as in North Auckland. A number of farmers received roots of the grass for trial purposes; only two reported,but both favourably. One, who had a small plot, found during the dry autumn, when the pasture on the clay lands of his place was burnt up, that a cow turned in on it ate it readily.

This evidence, though somewhat insignificant, is nevertheless encouraging for further and more extensive tests. Trials are in hand for the coming season in which white clover and other pasture elements are being combined with kikuyu to try and make a mixed pasture. The grass has not yet seeded with us, nor has it done so in Australia. However, the first introduction into Australia was by means of seed. If a supply of seed were available from Africa, where inquires are now being made, it would be a distinct advantage from the economic standpoint when laying down area.—N. Z. Journal of Agriculture.

There is at least one optimistc dairyman in Taranaki. A visiting friend referred to the drop in prices for butter-fat, and was extending his sympathy. “Why,” replied the farmer,“with the same number of cows my milk supply

is half as much more than last season. lam better off than ever I was.” This man’s forethought in selecting a good herd and properly pasturing his animals enables him to smile when others are woeful.