Feb. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette ofN.S.W. 107 



Trials of Wimmera Rye-grass 



{Lolium subulatum). 



E, BREAKWELL, B.A., B.Sc, Agrostologist. 



In the Victorian Journal of Agriculture for May, 1919, was published a long 

 article by Mr, H. A. Mullett, B.Ag.Sc, on Wimmera rye-grass. It was 

 there pointed out that this grass was producing remarkable results in 

 Victoria, and was one of the most promising winter fodder grasses for wheat- 

 growing centres. The article created a great deal of interest in this State, 

 and it was decided to give the grass a trial under cultivation at some of the 

 experiment farms. 



Wimmera rye-grass was not previously unknown in New South Wales, 

 for it was frequently found in different parts of the State, though never 

 particularly abundant. It was described and figured in the Agricultural 

 Gazette in April, 1918, under the name of Lolium rigidum Gaud (variety), 

 which is really synonymous with Lolium subulatum Vis, the name under 

 which it is known in Victoria. 



Growing in a wild condition (without cultivation) in native and other 

 pastures of New South Wales, it presents no promising features, and up 

 to the present the grass has never been recommended for fodder. On its 

 Victorian reputation, however, it was thought that it might do better under 

 •cultivation, and experiments have been conducted during the past year at 

 Glen Innes Experiment Farm and at Hawkesbury Agricultural College. 

 In addition, the attention of the Department was directed by Mr. Alexander, 

 of Melbourne, to a 50-acre paddock which he had sown at Finley, in New 

 South Wales. Owing to the dry weather the sowing in this paddock was 

 ■delayed until the latter part of the winter, which is rather late in the year 

 for best results. The seed germinated well but made very poor growth, and 

 an examination of the paddock late in spring revealed a very disappointing 

 pasture. Most of the plants, which were very small in size, had been 

 -completely killed out by the drought and hot weather, while those that had 

 survived were hardly noticeable, so small was their stature. A neighbouring 

 paddock of Danthonia grass presented a remarkable contrast, providing a 

 thick tussocky growth of fine feed, on which the sheep kept in excellent 

 ■condition. There is no doubt that early autumn sowing would have suited 

 the rye-grass better, and Mr. Alexander intends to act accordingly next year. 

 The experiment was sufficiently conclusive, however, to demonstrate that 

 the grass will not stand up to our dry, hot conditions as satisfactorily as our 

 native grasses. 



