632 Journal of Agriculture. [8 Oct., 1907. 



Australian graziers. But in the matter of pro\iding ample, succulent, 

 and nourishing feed, we tind graziers very neglectful, and consequently 

 they cannot expect to obtain high prices for indifferent lambs. Fat lambs 

 fetch high prices and so it pays to grow special fodder crops to feed 

 them. Well fed mothers always produce good lambs, and, if the mothers 

 are not sufficiently fed, it cannot be expected that they will furnish the 

 quantity of milk necessary to keep the lambs in forward condition. 



In certain districts, and at certain seasons, our lambs are likely enough 

 to get very much damaged by grass seeds, and until holdings become smaller 

 and special grasses and fodder crops are generally grown the mischief 

 will prevail. Carcasses damaged by grass seed lose their bloom, and 

 consequently their value is greatly depreciated. Every year large numbers 

 of Iambs are rejected for export on account of injuries sustained by grass 

 seeds. Nature provided for the pioneer pastoralist of Australia, wide 

 tracts of salt-bush, and there are two dwarf varieties {Atriplex scinibac- 

 catum and A. vesicarium) which rank amongst the best of fodder plants 

 for sheep. There has been ruthless destruction of these valuable plants 

 and even now it is not yet too late for pastoralists to retrace their steps. 

 Nature has indicated to us the drought-resisting properties of the salt-bush 

 family, and I have seen salt-bush growing in seasons of drought when 

 practically all other fodder plants had perished. The best salt-bushes 

 to feed sheep upon are the two dwarf varieties mentioned. They approach 

 lucerne as regards their feeding value ; lucerne has a nutritive ratio of 

 I : 2.5, and dwarf salt-bush has a nutritive ratio of i : 3.9. Two of 

 the best kinds of the taller salt-bush to grow are the Rhagodia hastata and 

 Atriplex nnmmularium . In arid districts particularly salt-bush should be 

 extensively planted and if the plants receive care, they will prove 

 of untold l>enefit when bad seasons come. Not only in arid districts but 

 in every district salt bushes should be grown and fostered, since they are 

 anthelmintic or worm expelling in their properties. Salt-bush country is 

 splendid for sheep, and the salt-bushes, along with natural grasses, will 

 produce excellent lambs. 



Special fodder crops are absolutely necessary for getting lambs into 

 prime condition as rapidly as possible. The growing of special fodder 

 crops which is a marked feature in New Zealand husbandry, is not yet 

 extensively practised in Australia, where the condition of the lamb is 

 allowed to depend almost entirely on the seasons. The vagaries of the 

 seasons exert an influence on the fodder crops, as well as on the pastures. 

 Wherever, then, rainfall is certain, or irrigation possible, fodder crops 

 should be extensively grown. Besides the indigenous dwarf salt-bush 

 there are certain exotic fodder crops eminently suitable for fattening sheep, 

 and in districts where such can be readily cultivated, every endeavour 

 should be made to establish them. Lucerne is one of the best of fodders 

 for fattening sheep. Rape which has a nutritive ratio of i : 5.7 is far 

 excellence a late autumn and winter fodder. Thousand headed kale 

 (nutritive ratio i : 5.2), maize (i : 12.6), turnips (i : 7.7), and mangolds 

 (i : 5.1), could be grown in favorable situations. Prairie grass, which 

 springs up earlv in autumn and grows splendidlv in the winter and early 

 spring, is a capital fodder for sheep, and so also is the Plialaris commutata 

 which provides prolific feed. 



There are only a limited number of plants suitable for winter fodder 

 in the northern districts of Victoria, but cereals, if put in earlv and the 

 sheep allowed to graze over the paddocks, will give excellent results. 



