MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 



627 



subsequently sown. Special care should also !»• exercised thai Johnson 

 grass is not in the vicinity where the Sudan grass is* grown, as on the 

 northern rivers. On close examination, the seeds of the two grasses are 

 fairly distinguishable, the seed of the Johnson grass being much redder in 

 colour and much smaller than thai of Sudan grass, but an ordinary grower 

 can readily be deceived. To introduce such a pest as Johnson grass further 

 into our coastal paddocks would be a calamity for which the beneficial 

 results obtained from Sudan grass would hardly be sufficient compensation. 

 A. great deal of variation is noticeable in a field of Sudan gras tuiong 

 the individual plants, some tending t<> have wide Leaves and big stems, 

 while others are of a finer habit, containing sometimes over 100 stems to 

 a plant. 'These variations are very important from a selection point of 

 view, and it has already been proved that a considerable increase in yield 

 can be obtained by selecting and isolating from a superior type <>f plant. 



#ii 



Sudan Grass at Vanco. 



Feeding Value. 



The feeding value of Sudan grass is extremely good. In determining 

 a well-balanced ration, the albuminoid ratio that is. the proportion of 

 protein or albuminoids to carbohydrates and fats (ether extract) is of 

 vital importance. In this connection Sudan grass compares favourably 

 with Hungarian or Japanese millet, and is superior to most of the grasses, 

 including Paspalum dilatatum and Rhodes, green maize or sorghum. 



The palatability of this grass cannot be questioned ; all classes of stock- 

 eat it greedily. It was noticed at one centre that cattle preferred it to 

 lucerne, for, on being placed in a paddock containing both crops, the animals 



