ESTIMATION OF GRASSES.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 5, 15 May 1913, Page 480

ESTIMATION OF GRASSES.

E. CLIFTON.

The Agrostologist of the Union of .South Africa has recently published a list of the best, winter - pasture plants introduced and thoroughly tested in that country. Of these,. New Zealand tall fescue -(Festuca arundinaceae) takes the first place. ...

Tall fescue is described as the most hardy of all . the introduced grasses. It has proved resistant to both . frost and drought. It is found to prefer a heavy clayey. soil, and flourishes with a • copious rainfall. It thrives remarkably well with, irrigation, . grows vigorously under varied conditions, and is highly appreciated s as a -food.

Here is a remarkable ■ illustration of the. value of a grass in another part of . the world in contradistinction to its estimation in the country from which a large quantity, of its seed is obtained and from which it even , takes its name. ... .

. In South Africa, the Agrostologist describes cocksfoot as an. excellent pasture grass where conditions favour it, but it .is. found difficult of establishment as a. pasture in that country.