560 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



fairly well, but the young plants were killed off by the frost before 

 they had become Avell established. 



Mr. McCallum, of Pigeonhole Farm, Tzaneen, obtained some 

 seed from which he raised about 100 small plants. These he planted 

 out, but only two survived, and he Avrites as follows :—" One plant 

 has grown vigorously and has an abundance of foliage. I tried to 

 dig it out but found this impossible as the roots penetrated over three 

 feet. . . . It is too early to speak favourably or unfavourably 

 about it. I have an idea that if I can establish it in my bushlands 

 it will be a great help, but so far I have not succeeded." 



Reports from Rhodesia state that Kudzu has been g*rown success- 

 fully on the Government Experiment Station outside Salisbury, 

 where it is considered a useful grazing crop, but that the stems are 

 too tough and fibrous to make good hay. 



Another small quantity of seed has been obtained by the Division 

 of Botany in order to carry out further trials with the plant, and the 

 results of these will be reported on later. 



Kudzu seldom matures seed away from its own country. Most 

 of the seed is sent direct from Japan, the natural home of the plant, 

 and as far as we know the only firms in South Africa who advertise 

 seed or young plants are Distins (i^frican Seeds, Ltd.), Johannesburg, 

 and Carter Bros., Maritzburg. 



Grrain-eating Birds : A Poison. 



The following is recommended by the Principal, School of 

 xigriculture, Potchef stroom, as a poison for grain-eating birds : — 



A paste of two cups of starch or three of flour is made with cold 

 water; boiling water is then added until the liquid measures three 

 bottles. The whole is boiled for a short while until the liquid becomes 

 translucent ; now stir in thoroughly one ounce of finely powdered 

 strychnine alkaloid: pour the liquid over 50 lb. of kaflfir corn grain, 

 or a mixture of kaffir corn and millet seeds, and stir so as to wet 

 every grain. The grain is allowed to dry, then bagged, properly 

 labelled and stored in* a safe place until required. 



To poison the grain-eating birds, patches of dry grass are burnt 

 near the lands on which unpoisoned grain is thrown. As soon as the 

 swarms of " finks " have cleaned these up, sow the poisoned bait. 

 This method has been found most effective, and, if followed, there is 

 Tittle danger of destroying those species of birds which are of benefit 

 to the farmer. 



Cmition. — Poison bait should not be distributed too near the 

 homestead, unless the ground can be fenced in with wire-netting, 

 otherwise poultry will be killed. The poisoned birds must not be 

 allowed to be eaten. 



