THE PHALARIS COMMUTATA GRASS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 9

THE PHALARIS COMMUTATA GRASS.

Some particulars which we recently published of the Phalaris . oommutata, which had been grown by a farmer in Moe, Near South Wales, a drought-resisting grass, resulted in many inquiries being received as to where seed or plant could be obtained.

We now learn that Messrs A. Moritzson and Co. are prepared to ake orders for young plants, roots, or seed, and transmit these to Australia. Phalaris commutata is a native of Italy. It was introduced into Queensland in 1884 by Mr Harding, the curator of the Toowoomba Gardens, being one of many varieties of grasses obtained by him from the Department of Agriculture, America What he says of it appears to have been borne out by all others who have tried the seed. "The seeds," he said, "were sown in drills, and all germinated and made good growth until the first frosts, which killed all except one Phalaris commutata. Requiring the ground space for other purposes, I removed this grass, and simply dumped it into a corner of the nursery, taking-no particular care of it. ' Although the ground' was very hard, it \ made tremendous growth in one year, germinated where it had fallen, and in 12 months grew into clumps 2ft across and sft in height, with nice, soft, succulent blades and flowering stems. This has been cut tiro or three times in the year. The roots are fibrous, and the foliage very dense, and a bright green in colour, especially during | the winter. In appearance the leaf ia similar to that of P. canariensie, but Ihe plant is much more productive. Visitors from all parte of the Commonwealth who were shown this grass were surprised how it stood the drought. To graziers, and dairymen-I-particularly recommend it, being particularly productive throughout the year. It is easily propagated, and when once started it will soon produce seed which, if allowed to shed, will germinate freely. Theseed is small nd glossy. During the '93 drought some roots were in a bag for. six weeks, and th-j only difference it made.was that the foliage was slightly yellow, though the plants' kept growing all the time*: ', It seems to like all kinds «f weather, and from the rapidity of its growth it excels all other grasses I have anything to do with. What it would be if properly cultivated it is hard to say, but it is a very desirable grass to introduce and distribute. By its own self-sowing it has covered a large amount of space in the nursery." Mr Murphy, of Moe, New South Wales, whose experience of the grass corresponds with, that given by the Queensland botanist, states that his trials have, been made on poor, light soil, and he estimates that if properly attended to and "given a light dressing of superphosphate, it would yield 8 tons of dried hay to the acre per annum. These are -very big figures, and the grower who got half that return ehoukj -be well satisfied that he has found a valuable new fodder plant. "I obtained," he said, " a few plants, and transplanted at the end of April, and whilst putting them out in drills 3ft apart and 2ft in the drills, by the end 1 of June they had made a growth of 2ft, sending on the shoots, until by the end of the season as many as 167 seed etems had been produced by one plant, the height being about an average of 7ft. It was a severe winter, but not a yellow leaf could be seen." He suggests that the seed should be sown In a bed like cabbage seeds, and when the plants are sufficiently strong should be transplanted 3ft apart each way. Having only seen the grass in a sheaf it is difficult to form an opinion of what it would be like for fodder purposes, but there can be no question that for hay it is admirably suited, and if it fulfils half the good things claimed for it by the grower Australasian farmers should be well pleased.

Tares or vetches give abundance of feed in winter and spring. Sow two bushels per acre mixed with rye, corn, or Cape barley. Supplied by Nimmo and 81air.... The name "Ulimaroa" has been seleoted for the new Huddart-Parker steamer now being built for the New Zealand-Australian passenger trade.' The name is from the Hewesworth edition of " Captain Cook's First Voyage," where the Natives of Doubless Bay apeak of a great country to the north-west called Ulimaroa, to which some people had sailed in a large oanoe, and where they had seen the people eat hogs. It is presumed that the country so indicated was Australia. —V*