314 
it grows in the Melsetter district, about 80 miles south-west of 
Gutu. Col. Napier has experimented with it, and a short account 
of his experiences, including a chemical analysis of the grass by the 
Chemist of the Rhodesian Agricultural Department, was published 
in the Rhodesian Agricultural Journal for 1909-1910, from which 
the following paragraphs are taken :— 
(p. 1398.) “ Like Pearl Millet it is reported to be an extremely 
good drought resister. (p. 1399.) Col. Napier and Mr. Kenny 
both state that it remains green on dry land Jate into the autumn 
and withstands frost to a remarkable degree. Col. Napier has 
tested it under most severe conditions and is firmly convinced of its 
economic value. He has now several acres planted on vlei ground 
on the Central Estates, and is hopeful that in spite of frost it will 
afford green feed late into the winter. Both cattle and horses eat 
it readily.* 
“ Like sugar cane the plant may be propagated either by sub- 
division of the roots or from cuttings or slips. It roots freely and 
is reported to grow rapidly after each cutting, thereby enhancing 
its value as a soiling crop. It seems probable therefore that in 
Napier’s fodder we have found a hardy perennial plant of con- 
seerelie value for winter feed and suitable for planting on light 
ry soil. 
“Chemical Analysis—The Agricultural Chemist of this Depart- 
ment has made the following analysis of a mature stalk of Napier’s 
fodder which arrived at the laboratories in a partially dried con- 
dition, showing that it is comparable in feeding value to maize 
stalk roughage :— 
Per cent. 
Wher... oo “i ee aaa ps. 66°33 
Ether extract ... < os oS a 0°84 
Protein .. is a 38 oes ey 10 
(Total nitrogen converted to equivalent in protein.) 
_ Carbohydrates ... os rp Ws cas a6 1°16 
Bie 15°66 
3°71 
100°00 
Ether extract with chlorophyll removed therefrom ... 0°57 
True protein... see Gia i cot ove 
Since then another analysis was made from material grown on 
the Botanical Experiment Station,f Salisbury ; and this together 
with an analysis of sugar cane from the same station is reproduced 
below, with the permission of the Agricultural Department, Salis- 
bury, Rhodesia. 
* Col. Napier has formed so high an opinion of this crop that it is certain! 
worth a trial in other parts of Southern Bodies, and cats his Aedecnteaeed 
this Department is able to offer a limited number of roots £ o.r. Gwelo, under 
the usual terms of co-operative experiments. 
+ Communicated to Kew in December, 1911. 
