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THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



Owing to its rapid growth in midsummer Elephant grass often grows 

 quicker than the stock can eat it, and when over 6 and 7 feet high it develops 

 woodiness. Under these conditions a succulent growth can be induced by 

 cutting the grass, not nrar the base, but a couple of feet above the surface 

 of t be ground. 



The plants stool considerably, and in the second year it will probably be 

 found that all available room is taken up. Experiments are now being 

 conducted to determine the advantage, if any, of planting the roots at a 

 greater distance apart, and filling up the spaces between with a vigorous 

 creeping grass like Kikuyu grass. 



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Elephant Grass at Wollongbar Experiment Farm 



Summary. 



1. Elephant grass can be treated either as a fodder or as a pasture grass. 

 As a fodder it is not recommended for situations where maize or other summer 

 crops will grow, but it will produce most satisfactory results on poor soils. 



2. Elephant grass should be cut or pastured before reaching a height of 

 6 or 7 feet ; the succulence of the plant improves considerably under grazing. 



3. Elephant grass produces greater fodder yields in our coastal districts 

 than any other plant known. 



4. It is an excellent grass to grow in our wheat-growing districts for 

 summer feed. 



5. Records from Hawkesbury Agricultural College, and also from the 

 United States, show that cows maintain their milk yield when pastured on 

 Elephant grass. 



