792 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Nov. 2, 1920. 



The texture of the leaves and stems of Parramatta grass is particularly 

 hanl, and horses have been known to loosen their teeth in grazing on it, as 

 the animals have to pull rather than break the stems and the leaves. Cattle 

 and horses will eat the grass in its young stage, but its palatability and 

 nutritious qualities are of a very low order. 



Sporoholus diander (Fig. 1), although found in similar localities to 

 »S'. indicus, is much softer and moie palatable. It is fairly abundant around 

 Newcastle and Maitland, on the northein rivers, and on the noithern sIojk'S 

 and tablelands. 



SporoboJus virginicus is a typical example of an alkaline gi*ass, and is 

 common in the salty marshes around Sydney and elsewhere. Something like 

 the ordinary Parramatta grass in its inflorescence, it can readily be dis- 

 tinguishei by its rigid wiry leaves. It is often grazed in its young stages, 

 and although it contains a fair amount of fibre (29*41 per cent.), it is fairly 

 high in piotein {8'60 per cent.) and in carbohydrates (about 25 per cent.). 



Sporobolus Lindleyi and S. actinocladus (Fig. 2) are the two best Sporo- 

 bolus grasses in the interior. They are conmion on both the red and black 

 soils, being particularly noticeable after summer thunderstorms. They are 

 very succulent grasses with wide tender leaves. Their period of growth is 

 very short and they quickly break into flower. For decorative purposes a 

 bunch of flowers from i^jwrobolus Lindleyi would be haixl to excel. The 

 flower branches become very easily broken ofl", however, before the seed matures, 

 and if a permanent stand is sought it is absolutely necessary that the grara 

 be protected until the seed is ripe. This treatment is quite practicable, as 

 the flag does not appear to be affected after the ripening period. 



The Searing Iron versus the Knife for Detailing 



Lambs. 



Experiments have been conducted by the Texas Agricultural Experiment 

 Station, U.S.A., to determine whether the searing iron is better than the 

 knife for detailing lambs. The results, which are presented in Bulletin 

 No. 262 of the station, directly agree with results of similar trials conducted 

 in New South Wales some years ago. They are summarised as follows : — 



iiie resuiLs uijuiiuuu in uul-kiiij^ ^uu laiiius iiiuiccit«ii uiial no ativallltige 

 is to be gained in docking young lambs with the hot iron or docking pincers. 

 This operation can be performed moi-e (quickly with the knife, and apparently 

 with no gre:il danger of fatalities due to excessive bleeding. 



The lambs docked with the sharp knife healed one week sooner than those 

 docked with the hot iron. 



In practically every instance the knife left a healthier, cleaner wound 

 or sore than did the hot inm. 



The lamljs docked with the knife made a slightly larger gain throughout 

 the test than did those docked with the hot iron. 



No advantage was gained by searing the artery after docking with the 

 knife. 



