MISCKI.l. VN l.<il - ( imps. 



633 



How to Plant Elephant Grass. 



Elephant grass can be raised from seed, I mt such Beed should be sown in a 

 nursery bed; and the young plants transplanted to the permanent paddock. 

 Early summer is the best time for sowing 



The best method of propagation, however, is by planting rooted Blips or 

 cuttings. The former can be planted in spring or autumn and the latter in 

 spring only. The slips and cuttings have wonderful vitality, and a rase is 

 mi record where certain cuttings, having been kept for over a month, were 



snaked in water before being planted, ami a 60 per cent, strike resulted. 

 Cuttings should be obtained from the fairly-hard portions, and should have 



three nodes. They should he planted in cultivated ground, a distance of 

 "> feel apart. The slips can either he inserted in the soil with two nodes in 

 the ground and one out, or shallow furrows can he ploughed .'3 feet apart, and 

 the slips or cuttings. dropped horizontally in the furrows, and the ridged soil 

 turned back upon the cuttings by reversing the direction of the plough. 



Elephant Grass showing a month's growth after being pastured close to the ground. 



Carrying Capacity. 



A fodder that will produce 70 to 80 tons of green feed per acre in a season 

 must necessarily have a good carrying capacity. It is very difficult to obtain 

 the actual carrying capacity of the grass, owing to it having to be fed off at 

 intermittent periods. Tt may he said that when 6 feet high it requires to he 

 very heavily stocked to ensure it being eaten down. The cows should then 

 be removed until the grass has made new growth. In the winter months no 

 growth is made, but during the summer Elephant grass will maintain ten to 

 twelve cows per acre at periodical intervals. 



Behaviour under Stocking. 



As a rule stock eat the top leaves and stalks of Elephant grass, and from 

 the joints below several tender shoots spring out, and these are always 

 appreciated. 



