RE-GRASSING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2981, 3 May 1911, Page 17

RE-GRASSING.

THE IMPROVEMENTS AT CLYDE

IMPROVING THE NATURAL PASTURE.

We are indebted to the secretary of the Otago Agricuiural and Pastoral Association for a report of the experiments which are being conducted by the Department of Agriculture. A number of tho grasses experimented with havo proved complete failures; others have grown, and demand further investigation; but one in particular has been a ' sensational success —viz., Chloris gayana, cvr Rhodes grass. This grass was sown on November 1, and at tho time of writing several clumps of it may ba seen with a spread of nearly 3ft, , 2ft 6in, and 2ft. The- plant is fibrous- * rooted and knotted like a strawberry, and each of these knots shoots up into a new plant. Although this immenso growth j s now in evidence, it is only quite recently that good growing weather has been experienced in the neighbourhood of Clyde, •and .most of the growth mentioned has been made in considerably less time than that which has elapsed since it was planted. Tho only question now to determine is whether or not it will stand and survive the frost. At this time of year this question will not be long in beirg answered." The following extract in reference to this .grass is made from the Queensland Agricultural Journal: RHODES GRASS (CHLORIS GAYANA).

"Our sincere thanks are due to Mr Sylvester Brown, of Singleton, N.S.' Wales, for introducing this grass into Australia (writes Mr T. Jones, manager of Warren State Farm); and it may bo of interest to your readers to know how thisr grass grows in Central Queensland under adverse circumstance*!.

"In experimenting with grasses, I am of opinion that it should be done under field conditions, and no,t in a shady nook under the nose of a watering can or hose. In determining which varieties to grow in our grass paddocks, some 30 varieties were tried, and after the hot, dry .summer months, the onily surviving ones were_ Paspalum diiatatum, Panicum muticum. Tricholcena Rosia, Chloris truncata, and Chloris gayana, or Rhodes giross. The latter has no only survived, but has grown luxuriantly through the long, dry summer months at this farm, and has been a nursory field for any animals lacking condition.

"The land planted with this <*rass is a loose, flat with clay within 3in of tho surface on an average. Many of the green trees and all tho dead tr©33 and stumps were grubbed and burnt. Then the disc plough was used to stir the ground between the remaining trees to a depth of from 2in to 6in; it was then harrowed, but could not be brought to a fine grass seed bed. Tho seed was sown at the rate of 21b of Rhodes grass and 21b of paspalum to the acre; then harrowed once. Different sections. of tho field have been planted at various times of tho year. Tho seeds will remain in the ground quite sound until rain comes, and then quickly respond to it, soon covering tho ground. ''Unlike other quick-growing grasses, it is relished .at all! stages of its growth by stock, and does not deleteriously affect dairy products. It has proved a wonderful grass for resisting drought, and will grow and remain green whien all other grasses, natural or artificial, are burnt •up. The famous paspalum has been the leading grass with our dairymen, but to be successful with paspalum it requires rich soil, with a regular rainfall; so its demands are beyond tho Central Qneenalander, inasmuch aa it requires a regular rainfall. It is alow in germinafciivsr, and cannot be easily mown for hay Not so with Rhodes.

This germinates quickly, grows quickly, is

relished by all classes of stock, proves to be a quick fattener, and is easily made into 'hay. When harvested, it has an aroma that is not easily defined—very strong, but not unpleasant. It makes good chaff, especially when mixed with lucerne. I have tested tho yield of Rhodes grass per acre of hay from a small portion of our fields, and it made 5 tons 6cwt 211 b. "I am pleased! to state that our fkvd of Rhodes grass (no paspalum to be seen, although planted in equal quantities), 45 acres m area, has induced several farmers to plant it in their grass paddocks, and I feel certain that Rhodes grass will be quite as great a boon to the Central Queensland farmers as the paspalum has been to the dairymen of the Northern Rivers of New' South Wales" (as well as these of Southern Queensland. —Ed.).