262 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2 GEORGE V., A. 1912 



Any assistance in making as complete a collection of plants as possible will be much 

 appreciated. Seeds and plants from all parts of the country are much desired, and it 

 is hoped to publish lists of the seeds and plants from the gardens available for 

 exchange. 



RHODES GRASS (CHLORIS VIRGATA)* 



This grass has been brought into prominence during the past year, by glowing 

 accounts of its value to stock owners, which have been furnished to the press by a 

 gentleman from Australia. Many inquiries have* come to us as a result of this publi- 

 city, so that it seems desirable that tbe plant should be referred to here. From all 

 that can be learned, Rhodes grass in Australia is evidently worthy of much or of all 

 the praise that is being bestowed upon it, but it does not necessarily follow that it will 

 iill any really important place among our Canadian crops. The climate of tbe two 

 countries and their agriculture are widely different in many respects. Fortunately, 

 we do not have to rely solely on reports of the superiority of this grass elsewhere, for 

 it has been experimented with for several years in tins country. 



From 1904 to 1908, Rhodes grass was under experiment on the grass plots at tbe 

 Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, seed both from South Africa, its native home, 

 and from Australia being used, as well as a small amount of seed matured here, which, 

 however, failed to germinate. It is a luxuriant annual grass, much inclined to creep 

 by the rooting of the lower nodes of the stems, thus making it difficult to mow. 



The yield of forage was quite considerable, and one year was almost equal to that 

 of the best-yielding millets tested alongside it. It is doubtful, though, whether it 

 would give as high an average yield over a series of years as these millets; and it is 

 certain that our sorghums, sugar canes and corn will much surpass it as producers of 

 annual pasturage or fodder. If it will thrive under tbe dry conditions which obtain 

 in some parts of Canada (and for which conditions it is claimed to be well suited), it 

 will be important to ascertain this fact by further tests in this country; but from all 

 indications it would appear as though our relatively severe climate and short seasons 

 would make it too uncertain a crop to be relied upon. It would not. of course, take 

 tbe place of any of our regular or permanent pasture plants, which are expected to 

 occupy the land for two or more years. In short it is a grass which may be worthy of 

 further test here, but should not be thrust into prominence until our experiment 

 stations have found it to possess some advantage over the grasses which it is to dis- 

 place. In the meantime, it will be in order for farmers to make the best possible use 

 of the hay and forage plants which are being recommended, such for example, as that 

 far-too-little grown legume, alfalfa or lucerne. 



COMPARATIVE TRIALS OF MILLET VARIETIES. 



The value of millet as a ' catcb crop ' has long been recognized. It may be sown 

 till late in July and will still produce a very satisfactory ' catch.' When it is too 

 late in the season to sow corn, try millet. Its feeding value is nearly that of corn. 

 Millet may be cut before the seeds begin to ripen, when it is well liked by all stock. 

 It is an excellent plant to smother Couch Grass, Perennial Sow-thistle, Canada Thistle 

 and other equally persistent weeds. Millet prefers a sandy soil and thrive- luxuri- 

 antly on new land. Sow one half-bushel per acre for hay and one peck, (one-quarter- 

 bushel) for seed. The following six varieties have done best in our trials this year: 



* According to information received from Mr. Burtt-Davy, Government Botanist. Union 

 of South Afrca, the grass known in that country as ' Rhodes grass ' is a perennial grass 

 [CMoris Gayana) while Chloris I'irgata the annual grass is popularly known as 'Sweet 

 grass/ No doubt the latter grass is referred to by the correspondent from Australia. We 

 are much indebted to Mr. Burtt-Davy for a supply of seed of both grasses, which will be 

 v.arefullv tested. 



