July 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 507 



Popular Descriptions of Grasses* 



[Continued from page 314.] 



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



THE INTRODUCED CHLORIS GRASSES. 



The introduced Chloris grasses of greatest economic importance in New 

 South Wales are Rhodes grass and Chloris virgata. 



Rhodes Grass {Chloris gayana). (Fig. 1). 



Rliodes grass is a perennial grass characterised by an abundant leaf 

 growth and surface runners, which readily root at the nodes. It was 

 introduGK^d into cultivation by Mr. Cecil Rhodes, of South Africa ; and 

 appears to have been first grown in this State by the late Colonel Sylvester 

 Browne, of Singleton. It is evident that another grass somewhat similar to 

 it, but very inferior in quality, was introduced about the same time. This is 

 known as Chloris virgata, and for some time it was confused with the true 

 Rhodes grass, for the two grasses appear identical during the early stages of 

 their growth, though there is a distinct difference in the inflorescence. The 

 seed spikes of Chloris virgata are compressed, scai'cely opening out even in 

 the mature stages, whereas those of Rhodes are well extended radially almost 

 as soon as formed. In Chloris virgata, also, the- seed florets are densely 

 covered with long slender white hairs, very conspicuous in the field, whereas 

 the hairs on Chloris gayana are scarcely noticeable. 



Sod and Carnatic Conditions. — Rhodes grass is now permanently established 

 throughout Queensland and New South Wales, being grown more extensively 

 in the former State than in the latter. It succeeds best on the alluvial or 

 loamy soils, while it grows better than most introduced grasses on the lighter 

 soils, particularly those of granitic or sandstone origin, such as are found iii 

 many of our wheat-growing centres and on the coast. It likes wai'ni 

 situations, and is exti-emely sensitive to frosts, being completely killed out 

 in localities over 2,000 feet in altitude. It is a favourite grass to sow in 

 " burns " on any part of the coast. 



Sowifg. — ^The seed of Rhodes grass is very small and light, and germinates, 

 as a ru-le, rather badly. The low germination is due to the large number of 

 barren or infertile flowers; and a fertility of 50 per cent., or a total germina- 

 tion of 35 per cent.., may be considered very satisfactory for this class of 

 seed. It pays, therefore, to have the land in fine tilth to ensure a good 

 stand, and a farmer should certainly know the fertility of his seed before 

 sowing, in order to plant the right amount. A rough way to determine 

 the fertility is to rub a small amount on the palm of the hand ; if the 

 released grain appears plentiful the seed may be considered satisfactory. 

 Only 4 to 6 lb. of good seed are required per acre, but 20 lb. is some- 

 times little enough when a large proportion of the seed sown is immature. 



