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



Local Value of Sudan Grass. 



That this rapid-growing, annual fodder phmt thrives under coastal 

 conditions has been proved beyond doubt. Being naturally adapted to dry 

 conditions, its introduction into a district of extreme humidity and 

 dampness was accompanied by attacks of blight, but using the crop 

 primarily for grazing lends to eliminate these attacks. Used in this way, 

 Sudan grass certainly is a valuable addition to our summer crops. 



Feeding off when about 2 feet high encourages stooling. An almost 

 continuous supply of fodder can be made available from November to May,, 

 especially when sown in two or three paddocks, each of 2 or 3 acres. To 

 show with what fapidit}^ growth takes place, it may be mentioned that at 

 Mount George the first growth reached 8 feet in eleven weeks, and the 

 second averaged 2 feet 6 inches in ten days. At Mondrook and Sherwood 

 similar growth took place. At Paterson (hillside soil) the crop grew 3 feet 

 in four weeks, and 5 feet in seven weeks. Fifty cows were grazed for seven 

 days on 2 acres. A fact worthy of emphasis is that the milk yield in all 

 cases increased considerably. 



Saccaline. 



Saccaline has become firmly established with dairymen on the central 

 coast. Although maturing slightly later than Planter's Friend, it made a 

 better showing than that welUknown fodder in almost every other way, 

 growing taller, yielding more heavily, and proving more palatable to dairy 

 cattle, which showed marked preference for it when both were fed together. 

 Saccaline's greater succulence and sweetness, and the manner in which -it 

 retains these qualities after severe frosts, should recommend it to dairymen. 

 Another strong feature is its resistance to rough weather. Plots sown 

 December, 1919, still remain standing (October, 1920). Like other 

 sorghums, Saccaline is subject to red discoloration. This detriment was not 

 so noticeable last season on the extremely rich soils as on soils of lesser 

 fertility, or wheie sown on uplands, the reason probably being that a 

 greater degree of succulence, and a less percentage of sugar, is present when 

 grown on rich soils. 



Japanese Millet. 



This is a valuable milk-producer that is very little sown on the central 

 coast ; its value lies chiefly in its being ready for grazing earlier than other 

 spring fodders. It should be broadcasted (mid-August to the end of 

 August), and the growths should be fed oif when about a foot high. For 

 low-lying areas or sour soils, Japanese millet shows greater adaptability than 

 other crops. 



. Canada's Necessity — and Ours. 



There is groat necessity in this country for a vigorous and continuous 

 campaign of agricultural education along the lines of better methods of 

 farming, better live stock, better seeds, and better markets, — The Hon. S. F, 

 ToLMiE, Minister of Agriculture, Canada. 



