Co-operative Forage Experiments in Southern Victoria. 115 



the teosinte grew very quicklj' and continued to do so in spite of the 

 fact that the official record of the rainfall during* January, February and 

 March for this district was the lowest for many years. It will grow 

 during hot dry weather, which is a great consideration. When the 

 stems are more than, an inch thick they are so tender and succulent 

 that young calves about two months old eat it readily. One trouble 

 a dairyman has in many parts of Victoria is that about the time his 

 hand fed calves are fit to wean, the grass, although plentiful, is so dry 

 that weaned calves will not thrive until the autumn rains come. 

 Teosinte will remedy that for I have proved they will do well on it." 



Mr. McGrath at the time of writing had not commenced feeding 

 this crop. He writes : — " There is one of your fodders that I have 

 not as yet had experience with, viz., teosinte. It is now (May 7th) 

 growing very rapidly and is just coming out into flower. It is now 

 over 6 feet high. I intend giving it another trial by sowing it earlier 

 next season." 



Mr. Miller of Upper Maffra writes : — " The stock eat it readily, 

 but judging by this trial it would hardly give a large enough ({uantity 

 and is also very coarse." 



Mr. Gooding of Moe writes : — " In regard to the teosinte I believe it 

 to be the best of the lot in a dry climate, where it could be sown about 

 the end of August, as it would give a great quantity of green feed and 

 the cows are more fond of it than any of the other crops. 1 cannot 

 quite understand it, it shows no sign of going to seed. It is now 

 about 9 feet high and looks beautiful. If it could come as quick as 

 the other crop.s I would place it first." 



Kaffir Corn, Egyptian Corn and Pearl Millet. 



Yarving opinions are expressed by the dairymen with regard to Kaffir 

 corn, Egyptian corn and pearl millet. The opinions generally enter- 

 tained are that they are inferior to the crops just dealt with. The 

 second crop, however, appears to be better in the case of the Kaffir 

 corn than in amber cane. Mr. McGrath is of the opinion that neither 

 Kaffir corn nor Egyptian corn is suitable for his district. Mr. Grant 

 re])orts that the Egyptian corn did not do well in his district. The 

 Kaffir corn, however, he intends to grow in preference to amber cane 

 owing to its larger second growth and as he thinks better feeding 

 qualitiies. Mr. Crowe thinks the butter was not so sweet when the 

 cows were fed on Kaffir corn and Egyptian corn as with amber cane, but 

 reports that the cows showed a liking for the crops. The pearl millet 

 in Mr. Grant's opinion is a very good fodder, well liked by cattle and 

 yielding a good weight per acre, but in his estimation it falls behind 

 the Japanese variety both in yield and quickness of growth. 



Cow Peas, Soy Beans and Florida Beans. 



The field of Mr. Grant was the only one in which these three crops 

 were included. His report is therefore of exce])tional value. I give 

 his opinions on each crop. *' The cow pea plot grew well all through 



