Dec. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 911 



A lecture was delivered by Mr. E, Breakwell, Agrostologist, on 25th 

 October. 



The old introduced grasses were first discussed, including perennial ryegrass, 

 cocksfoot, and red clover. Perenuial ryegrass produced excellent feed for a 

 short period, but continued dry and hot weather was very adverse to it, and 

 it was usually found that cocksfoot lasted much longer. Unfortunately cocks- 

 foot became very harsh and tussocky unless protected by other grasses or 

 clovers, and as perennial red clover did not, as a rule, last too long in such 

 a district as Windsor, the Department had experimented with other grasses 

 and clovers that would last with the cocksfoot. Splendid results had been 

 achieved in this coimection with Bokhara clover and Phalaris hulbosa, and the 

 attention of farmers in the Windsor district was particularly drawn to these. 

 Phalaris hulhosa was a grass that was doing remarkably well in winter months ; 

 as a good winter grass was urgently required it was hoped that Phalaris bnlbosa 

 would fill a long-felt want. 



Among the summer grasses, Sudan grass, Rhodes grass, Paspalmn dilata- 

 tum, Kikuyu, and Elephant grass were dealt with. Paspalum soon became 

 sod-bound in Windsor district, and it was questionable whether Rhodes would 

 not give better results. A mixture of Rhodes grass and lucerne had given 

 splendid results. Many farmers, however, preferred couch to anything else 

 on the rich flats, and there was a lot in this argument as far as summer feed 

 was concerned. It absolutely failed in the winter and early spring however, 

 and for this reason some farmers were against it. Sudan grass, of course, was 

 well known, but it might be added that very promising results had been obtained 

 by growing it as a pasture grass rather than for hay. It stooled well under 

 feeding-ofif, and gave feed well into the winter. 



Elephant srrass had the following points to recommend it: — (1) Drought 

 resistance, and (2) rapid growth and big yields. No other grass could produce 

 the same amount of feed per acre as this. Kikuyu grass was recommended as 

 a fine succulent grass, and cuttings wera promised to any member desirous of 

 obtaining them. Shearman's clover could also be strongly recommended for 

 low-lying lands. 



The native grasses suitable for Wiudsor were also described. Coolah grass 

 had given splendid results at the College; so had rare blue grass, love grass, 

 and Warrego summer grass. Unfortunately we had practically no good winter 

 native grass, and recourse to the introduced grasses for this purpose was 

 necessary. 



The lecturer pointed out that tbe Department was very desirous to have the 

 co-operation of the farmers in the work under discussion. 



Yarrunga-Avoca. 



On 25th September a discussion took place at a meeting of this branch on 

 the cost of producing and marketing cabbage. The crop discussed was 

 winter cabbage grown on red volcanic soil that had been previously cleared 

 and fenced. It was worked out that (without those items) it would cost 

 £59 18s. to grow and market an acre of cabbage. The preparation of the soil 

 was as follows —Ploughed and left under fallow; harrowed, ploughed and 

 harrowed again; crop ploughed in, blood and bone being shaken by hand at 

 15 cwt. per acre; when the plants were big enough they were scarified twice 

 and chipped with the hoe once. When the c^op was ready, it had to be 

 carted ten miles at a cost of £1 per ton, horse feed being very dear. 



At a subsequent meeting arrangements were made for the annual picnic 

 of the branch. 



Crayfish do little harm on the farm except where thej^ get into dams 

 and canals, when they tunnel holes through the earthworks and may do a 

 considerable amount of damage.-W. W. Froggatt. 



