628 THE farmers' handbook. 



remained on the Sudan grass for three days, eating it closely to the ground 

 before touching tin* lucerne, and returning to it periodically, keeping it 

 closely grazed and refusing isolated lucerne plants growing amongst it. 

 Horses are known to prefer Sudan grass chaff and hay to either the best 

 oaten and wheaten. Digestibility — one of a feed's paramount necessities 

 is not lacking in Sudan. Not only do cattle fed on it milk exceedingly 

 well, but horses work well and sheep fatten. 



Sudan Grass Poisoning. 



Owing to the close relationship of Sudan grass to the sorghums, the 

 question of prussic acid poisoning naturally crops up. Investigations by 

 the departmental Chemist, confirms American reports, that prussic acid 

 poisoning by Sudan grass is a possibility. This fact, however, should no 

 more prevent farmers growing Sudan grass than it prevents them growing 

 sorghum, as a few simple precautions will safeguard them from loss. 

 Farmers should remember : — 



(a) Sudan grass is most likely to be harmful to cattle when immature 

 or stunted through drought. 



b) If cattle are put on to Sudan grass, care should be taken that at 

 first they are only put on to it for a short time. 



(c) When cut and dried it is very unlikely to be harmful. 



(d) So far as prussic acid is concerned, Sudan may safely be grazed by 

 horses or pigs, and is unlikely to be as dangerous to sheep as to 

 cattle. It is only on isolated occasions that sufficient prussic acid 

 will be present to make the grass harmful. 



Sudan Grass under Irrigation. 



Sudan grass is undoubtedly an excellent summer fodder when grown 

 under irrigation conditions. Its ability to produce a maximum yield in 

 the minimum of time on various classes of. soil, together with its high 

 feeding value, palatability and succulence, marks it as an ideal fodder for 

 farmers engaged in dairying or sheep-raising on the irrigation areas. 

 Further, when cured it makes a hay relished by all classes of stock, especially 

 horses, which are known to work well and retain condition throughout the 

 trying summer months when fed on it alone. 



The grass is essentially a warm-climate plant, producing maximum growth 

 in a long season, and continuing to grow until the advent of frosts. Being 

 such a rapid maturer, it is available at a period when natural pastures are 

 scarce, and before the millets, maize and sorghums are tit to cut. In com- 

 parison with the millets it is far superior, and will, no doubt, replace them 

 to a large extent. Data is not yet available as to the perennial nature of 

 Sudan grass under irrigation. 



Cultural Operations — The initial preparation of the soil requires to be 

 thorough, and the best results will follow when the land is ploughed during 

 the winter, allowed to lie in the rough till the spring, and then worked down 

 to obtain a friable seed-bed. 



Owing to the fact that hot winds prevail during the sowing season 

 (October to January), it is a wise policy to irrigate and cultivate prior to 

 this. No reliance can be placed on the natural precipitation to promote 



