86 
23rd, 1917, Mr. H. A. Melle published a fuller account of the 
grass as it presented _ under cultivation, the greater part of 
which is reproduced he 
“ Kikuyu grass Peadidnie longist ylum), says Mr. Melle, is 
a perennial, running grass, and like the ‘kweek’ forms a dense 
turf. It has branching, leafy stems. The leaves are flat and 
spreading. Kikuyu has numerous stout rhizomes, as thick as 
a lead-pencil, and by the growth of these a single plant may 
cover an area of several square yards. If grown in a vicinity 
where there is not much moisture it will make very little top- 
growth, but will send out shoots and spread along the ground 
and establish itself firmly. But in the presence of moisture it 
will put on top-growth. I have seen it grow 24 to 3 ft. high. 
As yet it has not been observed to set seed in South Africa 
although it flowers regularly at the Groenkloof Botanical Station 
every summer 
s a summer grass, but will remain green until the 
first severe frost and will start growing again long before the 
veld grasses. At the time of writing our mealies have been 
scorched by frost and the veld grasses have become coarse and 
dry; whereas the Kikuyu is still putting on growth and is 
beautifully green and succulent. Its drought resistant qualities 
have proved to be equal if not better than any of the other 
grasses. 
Kikuyu may be considered as essentially a pasture grass. 
In districts where the rainfall is over 30 inches it might be possible 
to get two or three cuttings a season. What number of plants 
it can carry per acre has not been ascertained, but it will probably 
carry more than any other grass owing to its dense and rapid 
growth, combined with its resistance to eradication. If a sod 
of this grass be taken up, a few rhizomes Some ae pee 
are always left in the ground; these in two weeks’ time 
send out green leaves and soon re-establish themselves. 
s Kikuyu can only be propagated by roots or runners the 
initial cost of establishing a pasture would be more than other 
grasses that bear seed. This, however, is compensated for by 
the fact that when it has been put in, provided there is sufficient 
moisture in the soil to start it growing, it will take care of itself. 
There is, moreover, no fear of it becoming choked by weeds 
Although Kikuyu is such a hardy and vigorous grass it would 
be advisable to well prepare the ground previous to planting as 
it will then strike immediately and have an advantage over any 
undesirable plant. 
(a) Palatability.—I can say with every assurance that Kikuyu 
is one of the most palatable grasses. All stock eat it greedily and 
will leave most grasses to get to it. If stock are allowed on a 
patch of Kikuyu it will be seen that they will graze contentedly, 
and when they have had their fill they like to lie down on it, 
for the Kikuyu forming such a dense turf provides a very 
comfortable rest. 
