Notes. 391 



Division of Botany proposes to publish it iu the Journal in a series 

 of articles entitled " The Fodder and Pasture Grasses of South 

 xlfrica," with the object of helping the farmer to improve his natural 

 veld or to supplement it by the grass most suitable to his locality 

 and conditions. 



The farming community, it would appear, have become somewhat 

 apathetic on the subject of the comparative merits of grasses and 

 other forage plants and the improA^ement of the grazing lands. In 

 earlier years there was a tendency to recommend and even wax 

 enthusiastic over a grass before it had suflficiently been tested and 

 before a complete knowledge had been gained of its habits and 

 behaviour, etc., under varying conditions. And this tendency has 

 led to many disappointments, which have doubtless damped the 

 ardour of the farmer. By giving him now a full detailed account of 

 the grasses that have so far been tested, their feeding value, and 

 requirements as to soil, climate, and general treatment, etc., it is 

 hoped to revive in him some of his lost confidence and inspire him 

 to provide winter food for his stock. 



While one cannot afford to discourage the introdviction of certain 

 exotic pasture plants that have proved their value and that, in certain 

 districts, supply a need that no indigenous grass could supply, it 

 must always be borne in mind that in the native grasses and their 

 improvement and careful selection, lies the key to the great problem 

 of the betterment of the veld, and thus to the greater production of 

 our herds and flocks. 



In the ordinary and sweet veld, where over-stocking, injudicious 

 burning, or other liarsh treatment has not been resorted to, nature 

 provides the necessary ingredients for stock food in more or less the 

 required proportions, but there are many instances where nature has 

 been tampered with, and the veld ceases to be all that is desired; it 

 is then that the farmer must seek for a way to improve his pasturage 

 by cultivating other grasses. Even the best sweet veld will cease 

 to provide food during long periods of drought or cold, but the pro- 

 gressive, far-seeing farmer will have his hay-stacks ready and his 

 silos full, providing sustenance for his stock, and so amply repaying 

 his trouble and expense. 



In estimating the feeding value of a glass, too much importance 

 must not be laid on the results of chemical analyses alone, since these 

 results will differ greatly according to the locality, conditions of 

 growth, stage of maturity, etc., while, in hay, to these ruling factors 

 the method of curing and handling of the grass must be considered. 

 In palatability and freedom from injurious effects, we have the surest 

 guide to the desirability of a grass, and this, taken in conjunction 

 with a chemical analysis of the grass made from samples obtained 

 from the farmer's own pastures, will indicate very accurately its 

 feeding value. 



The first article of the series referred to above is published in this 

 number and deals with Sudan grass, which, although an introduction 

 of comparatively recent date, has proved itself well adapted to our dry 

 conditions, and is growing in popularity as a dependable fodder crop. 

 Miss Stent and Mr. Melle, of the Division of Botany, are the authors 

 of the article and treat the subject very clearly, giving the history 

 of the origin of Sudan grass and of its introduction into South Africa, 

 and explaining its uses, feeding value, cultivation, etc. 



