Feb. 3, 1908.] Aijricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 115 



Hawkesbury Agricultural College and 

 Experimental Farm. 



Grasses at the Hawkesbury Agricultural College. 



A. H. E. McDonald, 



Experimentalist. 



Experiments Imve been conducted at the College for some years with a 

 lai-ge ntiniber of grasses and forage plants, and close observations made 

 of the characteristics and habits of tlie different varieties, witli a view to 

 selecting, if possible, those which will prove satisfactory under our con- 

 ditions. Owing to the uncertain nature of the climate, and its dis- 

 similarity to that of older-established countries, we can gain little from 

 their experience, and have to depend largely on our own research work 

 to guide us in selecting varieties and methods for the formation of pasture 

 land. I'ntil recent years, with the exception of the more favoured coastal 

 districts, this important Ijranch of farm operations had received little 

 attention ; but with the increase in land values and in the nundjer of 

 small farms, the necessity of obtaining the highest returns from the land 

 has become greater, and more attention is now being paid to it. The 

 spread of dairying has tended still further to create a desire for better 

 pastures, and in consequence keen in(iuiries are now being made fo-r 

 suitable grasses. It is in satisfying these demands that the experimental 

 work is proving useful. The years during wdiich it has been carried out 

 have, generally speaking, been remarkable for tlie low annual rainfall 

 compared with the average, and the results give a pretty clear indication 

 of the value of the grasses under somewhat adverse conditions. It has 

 been the aim to contrast with the lietter-known varieties — native and 

 introduced grasses — which might be expected to prove of value. Whilst 

 it has not been possible to carry out the tests under the conditions which 

 wotild prevail in paddocks grazed by stock, the method of comparison 

 adopted allows of fairly accurate estimates of the usefulness of the different 

 grasses. Special attention has been paid to those likely to prove suitable 

 for dry conditions, as it is from tlie inland districts that the keenest 

 incjuiries come, and it is in those districts that the greatest difficulty is 

 encountered in estaljlishing pastures. Attempts that have been made in 

 such places have in many cases been followed by indifferent success, and 

 have to a certain extent given rise to an impression that good results 

 cannot be obtaineil from artificial grasses. This is no douljt true of some 

 varieties; but from the results of work here we can point to several kinds 

 which are likely to give good returns, provided they receive fail' troat- 

 nieiit. The mistake is often made when sowing new grasses in supposing 

 them to possess some magical power which enables them to resist all 



