400 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [June 2, 1920. 



Of the two blue grasses, Rare Blue grass was easily the quicker grower^ 

 but it prov'ed inferior in palatability and succulence to Queensland Blue 

 grass. The latter yielded approximately at the rate of 3 tons of dry fodder 

 per acre. 



A satisfactory feature in connection with the native grasses was the good 

 germination of the seed,- Warrego summer gi^ass and Native millet being 

 best in this respect. 



The most successful of the introduced grasses were Phalaris hulbosa. Giant 

 Fescue (Festuca arw dinncea), Texas grass (Pamcwm hulhosum). Para grass 

 {Paiiicum muticum), Rhodes grass (Chloris gay ana) Kikuyu grass {Peniiis turn 

 longistylum), and Elephant grass [Pemiisetum 'purpweum). 



Phalaris bullosa has pro\ed the best winter grass that has ever been grown 

 on the Manning, producing excellent succulent feed right throughout the 

 cold months of the year. 



Kikuyu grass has made wonderful growth since the roots were first planted^ 

 and is smothering everything with which it comes in contact. It possesses 

 long spreading runners, which readily root at the joints. Somewhat like 

 Rhodes grass in its spreading habit, its leaves are of a much softer textui'e^ 

 and will probably be preferred by farmers to the well-known Rhodes. 



Para grass also spreads rapidly, some of the runners being over 12 feet 

 long. 



Amongst the clovers tried, Chilean clover has produced excellent results, 

 growing to a height of 3 feet and seeding heavily. 



iShearnian's clover is also proving promising, and is spreading through the 

 other herbage. 



Some ditticult}' was encountered in obtaining a germination with Bokhara 

 clover, but the plants which have grown are fully 5 feet in diameter and 4 

 feet high. 



Nearly all the grasses and clovers grown are new to this district, and 

 Mr. Cameron has been instrumental in arousing the interest of a number of 

 neighbouring farmers in the plots grown on his property. 



Elephant and Para Grass on the Manning River. 



Mk. .John A. Sauzier, Bohnock, Manning River, writes : — The Elephant 

 grass purchased from your Department two years ago gave half an acre of 

 plants for planting on 1st September, 1919; and during this terrible 

 drouglit they grew as if they were in the best of showery weather, and had 

 attained a height of 7 J feet in .January, 1920.' The fodder was then cut and, 

 in combination with maize and sorghum, was made into stack silage. 

 The 2s. worth of Para grass purchased from your Department gave 

 enougli plants and cuttings for planting half an acre on 1st October, 1919. It 

 has now covered the ground with runners 8 feet long. Had I known the 

 nature of the grass I would have planted an acre with the same quantity. I 

 planted it 4 feet apart, whereas it would have suHi'-ed at 15 feet apaft. It 

 has not yet given upright shoots, but is still running. 



