QRASSES \M> PASTURES. 731 



Palatability. 



Stook of all kind show a distinct partiality for certain grasses) when thej 

 become accustomed to them. As a general rule the palatability and the 

 nutritive qualities of a grass are closely oo ordinated thai is, high palata 

 bility generally indicates high nutritive qualities. The palatability of a 

 grass varies considerably according bo (a) soil, (b) stage of growth, and 

 climatic conditions. The poorer the soil the less palatable and less nutritious 

 the grass. As a rule grasses arc more appreciated in their young stages 

 than when mature; this refers particularly to those grasses which develop 

 harshness and woodiness in the advanced state, in which category come 

 paspalum, Rhodes, cocksfoot, and Sudan grass. The nutritive qualities of 

 a grass, however, are generally higher at the flowering stage. An execs-, of 

 growth can therefore be utilised as hay which is generally more appreciated 

 by stock than the mature growing plant. Climatic conditions affect the 

 palatability of grass, inasmuch as too much drought or too much rain effect 

 its normal development. The greatest succulence results from good rains at 

 the right periods. 



It is often extremely difficult to determine whether it is better to lay 

 down a pasture containing grasses which yield heavily, or grasses which 

 yield less but which are more palatable and nutritious. Paspalum is a grass 

 which is not considered as palatable or as nutritious as some others, such as 

 rye grass, but no dairy-fanner would lay down a pasture of rye grass on the 

 northern rivers in preference to paspalum, owing to the heavy carrying 

 capacity of the latter. It is often possible, however, to lay down a pasture 

 with grasses containing both characteristics. 



Introduced Herbage. 



If all the growth of herbage in good seasons could be utilised, much more 

 feed would be available for stock than under the old conditions, when native 

 pastures and herbs grew on the flats and loose soil generally. During the 

 spring of 1920 an average of at least 10 tons of greenstuff per acre could 

 be obtained anywhere in the wheat growing districts. For two months of 

 the year (September and October) fifty sheep per acre could be carried 

 without making any impression. There never has been, nor is there likely to 

 be, a native grass that will produce such an enormous amount of feed. No 

 native pastures have yet been known to carry more than two sheep per 

 acre, and one sheep per acre right throughout the year is considered good. 

 But the life of the herbage is very short, and after October it soon withers 

 and leaves the ground extremely bare, except for the burrs in the trefoil 

 country. It follows therefore, that if the grazing of the herbage alone is 

 relied on, the sheepowner is worse off than if in possession of native pastures 

 which persist throughout the year. 



In drought periods the native grass country scores easily. The herbage 

 will not respond unless supplied with a good rainfall, whereas the Danthonias 

 and Stipas will stand an extraordinary amount of dry weather. For example, 

 in Dubbo district at the breaking of the two years' drought in June, 1920, 

 investigation of the Danthonia pastures on the hillsides showed the tussocks, 

 to all appearances dead before the rain, reviving in a wonderful manner, and 

 out of forty clumps in three square yards fully 50 per cent, retained their 

 vitality. 



The Danthonia pastures in the Riverina district during the drought were 

 the main source of feed, and sheep running on these paddocks were among 

 the small number not sent for agistment to more favoured localities. At 



