630 THE farmers' handbook. 



Harvesting Stage. — Experience has shown that the maximum yields are 

 obtained when Sudan grass is cut in the flowering stages; its succulence is 

 then much more pronounced and its feeding- value higher. If allowed to 

 remain any longer, much energy is spent in the production of- seed, young 

 growth commencing from the stools is cut back, and the following growth is 

 considerably retarded and yields lowered. For grazing purposes, the grass 

 may be fed off when 2 feet high, allowing close grazing seven to eight times 

 during the growing period. In the warm months it can be grazed every two to 

 three weeks, its growth being at the rate of approximately a foot per week, 

 providing the necessary attention is given. 



Cultivation. — Heavy soils have a strong tendency to set hard after irriga- 

 tion, and unless due attention is paid to cultivation during growth, 

 evaporation is accelerated and yields are considerably reduced. The practice 

 of harrowing or cultivating with the rigid tine or spring-tooth cultivator has 

 everything to commend it, not only when provision is made for inter-row 

 cultivation, but also across a broadcasted crop. 



ELEPHANT GRASS, OR NAPIER'S FODDER.* 



Elephant grass is a native of tropical Africa, being confined to the area 

 1 iet ween 10 deg. north latitude and 20 deg. south latitude. Within this 

 immense area it occurs mainly along watercourse and in marshy depressions, 

 but also enters the bush and forests where open spaces afford sufficient light. 

 Under favourable conditions it forms extensive reed jungles, as for instance 

 in the delta of the Zambesi. In the interior of Sierra Leone, it ascends 

 nearly to 2,700 feet, and near its southern limit, in Rhodesia, to 5,500 feet. 

 In rich marsh land it attains a height of 21 feet or more, while on drier soils, 

 as in the savannas of East Africa, its stalks are hardly more than 6 feet high. 

 In Togoland it has been called Elephant grass by the colonists, while in 

 Rhodesia it is termed Napier's fodder, after Colonel Napier. The first 

 mention of the grass was made in 1905, when it was stated to be a good fodder 

 for cattle. Pigler in 1908 described it as one of the best fodder grasses 

 (Kew Bulletin, 1912) 



The Rhodesian Agricultural Department commenced to take up its cultiva- 

 tion in 1910, Colonel Napier co-operating. The latter tested it under severe 

 conditions, and became fully convinced of its economic value. 



A parcel of seed was obtained by the Agricultural Department in this 

 State in 1914, and only one seed grew. The resulting single plant became 

 the origin of all the areas now established at the experiment farms, in 

 addition to the thousands of roots that have been distributed to farmers. 



Description. — Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) belongs to tin- 

 Pennisetum family, and is a near relative of Pearl millet (Pennisetum 

 typhoideum). It is a coarse grass, and characterised by extremelv rapid 

 growth. Under warm conditions it will attain a height of 20 feet in a few 

 months. It grows in tussocks, and stools considerably. The leaves are 2 feet 

 or more long when fully grown and somewhat coarse, being similar to those 

 of maize. In young plants, however, and in the growths that follow 

 grazing, the leaves are soft and succulent. There is a fair amount of variation 

 in the hairiness of the plant, in some cases the stalks and leaf sheaths being 



» E. Breakwell. B.A., B.Sc. 



