Nov. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 799 



Trials of Grasses and Fodder Plants* 



Glen Innes Experiment Farm. 



L. F. ROWNEY, H.D.A., Experimentalist. 



Instructive results were obtained with a number of grasses, clovers and 

 lucernes at this farm during last season, and reference to the behaviour of 

 some of them may be of interest to farmei's. The plots are about '21 cliains 

 wide and about 1-19 chains long, equalling, therefore, about oile-fortieth of 

 an acre. The rows are -04 chains apart and run about five per plot, and 

 the divisions between plots are -05 chains wide. In computing the results 

 allowance has been made for misses^ or blanks in the lows, but tlie yields 

 under field conditions would actually be heavier. 



Grasses. 

 Andropoyon intermedins (Prairie Blue Grass), — This tufted perennial has 

 been under observation in the grass garden for several years. It is one of 

 the best of our native grasses, but in this district it dies down completely 

 during severe winter weather. Under good conditions it grows over 3 

 feet in height, and can be cut two or three times in a season. It reaches 

 its maximum growth in late summer, and is palatable at all stages of growth. 

 One objection is the poor germinating quality of its seed, but it is noticed 

 that under cultivation the vitality of the seed is appreciably increased. 



Andropogon affnis (Blue Grass).^-This grass makes little or no progress 

 during the winter, but very fair spring and summer growth, j-eaching its 

 maximum about mid-summer, reaching 3 feet 6 inches in height under 

 good conditions. It is spreading through the grazing areas of this farm, and 

 doing much to improve their quality and carrying capacity. The degree of 

 palatability can be gauged from the fact that it is only in sheltered positions 

 and the headlands of cultivation paddocks that it gets any chance of setting 

 seed. Were it not for the fact that the seed produced is of low vitality, 

 Andropogon affinis would form one of the prin'^ipal constituentjs of the native 

 pastures of this farm. 



Bromus japonicus. — This appears to be a perennial form of Prairie grass. 

 It withstands frost well, and makes very good growth during late winter and 

 early spring. Two or three cuts may be made during a season, and the grass 

 makes excellent growth after cutting. It is palatable, with light green, 

 fairly sweet leaves, producing a fair bulk of fodder. It grows readily from 

 seed, which it produces in fairly large quantities. 



Festuca arundinacea (Giant Fescue). — This is an introduced perennial 

 which has had a good trial at this farm. It is an excellent frost resister and 

 grows well during a dry spell. Its leaves are dark green, broad, and fairly 



