90 AUSTRALIAN GRASSES AND PASTURE PLANTS 



ANNUAL GRASSES GROWN FOR AUXILIARY FEED 

 FOR STOCK. 



In the dairying districts, and inland where irrigation is 

 possible, the cultivation of tall-growing grasses of annual 

 duration, as for example, Maize, Millets, and Sorghums, as 

 auxiliary feed for stock is carried on to a greater or less extent to 

 provide the cattle with good, nutritious feed when there is a 

 deficiency of herbage in the pastures, or to supplement the feed 

 where the grazing areas are limited. These are usually cut green 

 and judiciously fed to stock from day to day, or reaped and 

 turned into hay or ensilage, and used as occasion may demand. 



MAIZE. 



It is generally recognised that no other crop makes better 

 auxiliary feed for milking cattle than maize, either fed fresh 

 and succulent from the field or made into ensilage and used as 

 required. The variety known as "Ninety-Day" is one of 

 the best to grow for green feed, and the white-seeded varieties 

 are amongst the best for ensilage. Maize that is grown for 

 green feed can be successfully cultivated on various classes of 

 land, but the best and heaviest yields are obtained on deep, 

 rich, alluvial soils. The seed may be sown at intervals from 

 September to January, or February in the warmer districts, 

 broadcast or by drills ; if by the former method, one bushel 

 will be required to sow an acre, but if drilled in one-fourth 

 of that quantity will suffice. The seed sown broadcast should 

 be lightly harrowed into the soil, and then rolled with a light 

 roller. If the land was fairly clean when the seed was sown, 

 the crop will out-grow and suppress any ordinary farm weeds 

 that may spring up. The crop that was drilled in can be 

 cultivated in the ordinary way, and kept clean of weeds until 



