TALL FESCUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20244, 2 May 1929, Page 16

TALL FESCUE.

' Sir,- —In reply to "Adescriptus Gleboe" I am able to inform him that two experiments were carried out at Orongo under officers of the Agricultural Department as to the utilisation of tall fescue for ensilage. I understand tha results in respect of both quality and feeding valuo proved unsatisfactory. A detailed report could probably be had from tho department. Even supposing that these experiments had been a success, it was clearly demonstrated that the amount of labour, etc. involved made the proposition economically unsound on a one-man farm. Then, again, the use .of the weed for this purpose in no way assists in its eradication. I agree that it is readily eaten by stock, so is tutu, a point which is one of its chief .disadvantages. The theory that it is not the fescue itself, but ergot, that is injurious to stock is a very debatable one. For example I have seen a healthy dairy herd placed on an area which had previously been cleanly burned and some of this stock was badly affected within seven days. Five of these cases were the worst in my experience and proved beyond the aid of veterinary skill. Similar cases are common where the mower has been in constant use and not a seed head showing. My opinions refer to a particular locality and the conditions obtaining elsewhere may be entirely different. As to the question how the Minister of Lands can help Orongo settlers I suggest that, to relieve these men from an impossible position, ho should transfer them to land of a kinder nature, a course which has been advocated by Ministers of the Crown, members of Parliament and practical farmers who have made investigation on the spot. I would call that the use of practical common sense. These sections could then be made available to the man who knows how, or thinks he does. Fescue Jock.