ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13673, 14 February 1908, Page 8

ON THE LAND.

PASPALUM IN TOE WAIKATO. The Harapepo correspondent of Waifcato Argus writes:—Great has been the diversity of opinion regarding the sowing of Paspaluru .clilatatum v in this district; hut a visit to Mr. John Ross' farm should convince the most sceptical as to tho true worth of this great fodder. Mr. Ross sowed this grass. 15 months ago in a paddock that was practically worn out by continuous cropping. He put in 71bs of paspalum in a seed mixture, and only put 2cwt of blood and bone manure to the acre, fed it off till November last, when it was shut up for hay. On the visit, of the correspondent, Mr. Rosa was busy stookiiig it, having cut it with the reaper and binder. It was a sight most pleasing to behold. While all the other paddocks were parched and bare, the paspalum measured from 4ft to 6ft high, and the stocks were only about a yard apart. The other grasses that were sown in the mixture, with the exception of Lotus major, were completely choked out, paspalum having taken complete possession of the soil. Seeing is believing, and only those who have seen this magnificent crop could give credence to the true worth of paspalum. In conversation Mr. Ross remarked: "We are only starting to farm in tho Waikato, and I want my neighbours to come and see what this grass is capable of doing, as I do not want all the good things for myself." Mr. Ross is going in more extensively for this grass in the future. I am sure that anyone calling at his place will get a good reception, for he will be only too happy to show anyone over the farm.