J 80 ■Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [11 March, 1918. 



In forwarding the specimen, Mr. Jones remarked, " Subterranean 

 clovers grow in abundance in tbe volcanic soil near Flinders. I have 

 never known a paddock to be sown down solely with this clover, yet 

 there are hundreds of acres of it in the district — in fact, it is popularly 

 believed to be a native plant. It usually grows in a great mat, and 

 dies down about Christmas, but springs up quickly after the first autumn 

 rains. Stock are very fond of this clover and keep it closely cropped, 

 even though grasses in the same paddock may be a foot high." 



The following extract from a report on Trials of Grasses and Clovers 

 under Irrigation at the Yanco Experimental Farm is reprinted from 

 the New South Wales Journal of Agriculture for February, 1917. 



" Trifolium suhterraneum. — This is one of our most promising 

 clovers. It probably gets its name from the habit of growth, the lower- 

 most shoots forcing their seed-pods into the soil in readiness for future 

 propagation. It has made exceptionally good growth this winter, which 

 is its second season. The stems, all of which are green and succulent 

 and carry a fair amount of leaf, have grown over each other to a depth 

 of five or six inches, completely filling the spaces in between the rows 

 (2 ft. Gin. apart), and now forming a dense mat. The leaves are 

 inclined to be a little hairy. Growth commences about March, and 

 continues well into the spring; in fact, the bed is still, at date of 

 writing (23rd ^November, 1916), quite green. Although not grazed 

 here, in other parts it has been fed off continually, and found to be 

 very useful. Its lower stems cling to the ground; it is thus protected 

 from being killed out by stock. Owing to its seeding capabilities, 

 which are important, and its being a succulent nitrogenous fodder, it is 

 worthy of a place in any pasture, especially for winter and spring 



BRACKEN A SOURCE OF POTASH. 



There is no scarcity of bracken in Australia, and it is interesting to 

 learn that this ubiquitous weed may be used as a source of a commodity 

 that is as scarce as it is valuable. In a leaflet recently issued by thy 

 Board of Agriculture of Scotland, it is stated that the ash of bracke 

 is exceptionally rich in potash salts. The utilization of the ash woul<v 

 serve two purposes: (a) as an additional source of potash, and (b) as a 

 means towards the eradication of bracken. In the preparation of the ash 

 certain points require to be borne in mind, and are dealt with under the 

 following headings : — 



Time of Cutting. 



The best time to cut is when the largest yield of potash can be secured. 

 This stage is reached when the plant is fully grown. Although the ash 

 of the young plants is richer in potash the yield per acre is greater from 

 the mature plants. When fully grown the fronds become tough and 

 fibrous, and some of the pinnae or small leaves begin to change colour 

 and wither. Repeated yearly cuttings for three years in succession will 

 exhaust the roots and practically destroy the bracken. A hook or sickle 

 is the most suitable weapon in the hands of boys for cutting, especially 

 when the bracken is growing on the side of a hill. On more level ground 

 a scythe can be used with advantage. 



