170 SCIENCE IN AFRICA 



principal object of placing the results of experiment at the disposal 

 of South African farmers. 



In Southern Rhodesia the Division of Plant Industry has also been 

 concentrating on pasture improvement, and a detailed experi- 

 mental plan has been made out to test indigenous grasses and 

 leguminous plants. It is described by Graham and Hall (1933). 

 The systematics of grasses in Southern Rhodesia are fairly well 

 known through the work of Stapf and later through papers pub- 

 lished by Miss S. M. Stent and J. M. Rattray (1924 and 1933), 

 so that the field is now open for ecological and experimental 

 studies. 



In the Northern part of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan studies have 

 been made on the irrigation of pasture-land, and several species of 

 grasses, both African and Australian, have been tried without very 

 satisfactory results. In this connection research in Australia has 

 indicated that European pasture plants can be maintained in sub- 

 tropical areas if the system of irrigation is properly adjusted. Con- 

 touring of the land is necessary, while the frequency of watering 

 and the facilities for adequate drainage are important. Much of 

 the southern Sudan is covered with tall rank grasses of little value 

 for grazing. A short, close-growing pasture capable of keeping 

 down this natural vegetation would be invaluable. 



In the territories under the Colonial Office, little experimental 

 work has been undertaken, but in several areas the ecological 

 aspects of grazing, firing, and manuring are being studied. There 

 are now officers devoted entirely to pasture work in Tanganyika 

 and Kenya, and attention is being paid to the chemical constitu- 

 tion of grasses in several of the veterinary laboratories. 



In Northern Rhodesia there is no whole-time pasture expert, but 

 studies on grasslands have been undertaken by the ecologist, 

 C. G. Trapnell (1932 and 1933), who points out that research is 

 required on the following subjects: i, cutting for the purpose of 

 breaking-in tall grassland; 2, rotational grazing in order to increase 

 stock yield; 3, sowing grass on maize lands intended for abandon- 

 ment; 4, harrowing and propagation for reclaiming eroded pas- 

 tures. Results to date, which are suggestive rather than conclusive, 

 have been published in order to make a permanent record of the 

 initial progress. Trapnell refers primarily to problems of manage- 



