10 May, 1919.] " Wimmera " Rye-Grass. 267 



The first reference to the grass appears to be that of Mr. Temple A. J. 

 Smith {Journal of Agriculture, February, 1916, p. 81), but it was not 

 identified, nor were its possibilities and distribution fully investigated 

 until the present survey was undertaken last year. 



There have as yet been no accurate comparative tests of any sort made 

 with the grass, but the verbal testimony so far collected is strikingly 

 corroborative in affirming its high carrying capacity, and also in testi- 

 fying to its power of re-establishing itself under the Wimmera and 

 Mallee conditions. Indeed, one gathers that it is not this feature that 

 has exercised the ingenuity of those cultivating it, but rather that of its 

 control. For on this point of control the opinions of farmers who know 

 the grass are sharply divided. The majority avers that it can be eradi- 

 cated when necessary by careful fallowing, and refer to the grass in terms 

 of the greatest enthusiasm as " the best grass ever introduced into the 

 Wimmera." On the other hand, a few, while aduiitting its high feeding 

 value, contend that to the hand fide wheat-grower it is a " curse." 

 The evidence so far collected, however, shows that a number of 

 growers are deriving substantial feed benefits from the grass, and, at the 

 same time, maintaining their wheat yields at a high level. 



The following is an account of an investigation into the history, 

 present distribution in Victoria, habits, stock-carrying capacity, methods 

 of propagation, and control of the grass referred to, so far as can be 

 gathered by visiting existing stands of the grass, and collating the experi- 

 ences of the various growers. 



Seeing that large parcels of the seed have been sold on the market as 

 Italian rye-grass, and that accurate experiments to test the most doubtful 

 point, i.e., the control, will take at least two seasons, it has been thought 

 advisable to set out impartially the whole of the evidence secured, if only 

 to fully acquaint those who may have sown or who contemplate sowing 

 the grass of its vigorous habits. The possible value of the grass to 

 southern districts is not treated here, because, as yet, sufficient data 

 ■on this phase has not been collected. 



History and Disteibution. 



The present investigation, which was undertaken after seeing near 

 Minyip a magnificent old stand of the grass some thousands of acres in 

 extent, demonstrated that it was well established not only at Minyip, 

 but also in isolated patches throughout the Wimmera and older Mallee, 

 and, further, that apparently the whole of the sauKples came from one 

 original source — the farm of Mr. Reuben Light, at Noradjuha, near 

 Horsham, many years ago. 



Excellent stands of the grass were seen on the farms of the follow- 

 ing : — H. McDougal, Messrs. Barnes and Young, N. McGilp, and others, 

 Minyip ; J. Dart, Nhill ; A. W. Milbourne and others, Warracknabeal ; W, 

 McAllister and C. McLennan, Galaquil. 



Information has also been received indicating that further old- 

 established paddocks occur at other centres, including Jeparit and 

 ISToradjuha. More recently the grass has been introduced to Lara, Bal- 

 larat, Will aura, &c., where it is stated to be doing well. 



The earliest record of the grass, so far, is that furnished by Mr. E. 

 Light, who states there was an area of the grass on his farm at ISToradjuha 

 when he took possession of it 32 years ago. It had been planted there 

 b_y a man named McNichol, the" previous occupier, who had 



