GRASSES AX!) I'\MIl:i> I'M) 



Burning OH. 

 The question <>t' the advisability of burning off any excess of grasses is a 

 much vexed one. It bas to be remembered (1) that burning off the dead 

 material reduces the amount of humus and organic matter which a pasture 

 ultimately contributes to the soil, (2) thai sometimes the liner grasses are 

 destroyed, and (3) that sour Ian I is not improved by burning. < >n the other 

 hand, spear grass country is invariably benefited by a good burning off when 

 the grain is in seed, as is also a weedy pasture, particularly a pasture in test cd 

 with thistles, Ac. which should be burned to destroy seeds or to prevenl 

 seeding. Much of the wheat land in this State is of the last-mentioned 

 nature, and burning is advocated in such eases. Where a good "sole" of 

 nutritious grasses exists, however, one would feel disinclined to burn off 

 owing to the destruction of the organic matter that takes place. 



Weeds in Pastures. 



Pastures composed of strong vigorous grasses generally contain fe<v weeds. 

 For example, the cleanest pastures on the coast are paspalum and couch 

 grass pastures. These prove too strong for weed growth, and are, indeed, 

 often laid down on old cultivated land which has become rather dirty through 

 weed growth. Kikuyu is another grass that will usually smother weed 

 growth. Weeds become rampant, however, on pastures comprising the finer 

 grasses, such as rye grass, Bent grass, foxtail, Kentucky blue, and others, if 

 such pastures are not treated in a judicious manner. The causes of weed 

 growth in pastures are (1) incomjjlete preparation of the land prior to seeding, 

 (2) sowing at the wrong time, (3) a poor " catch " from seeding, (4) injudicious 

 stocking, and (5) sowing seed containing weed impurities. 



Incomplete Preparation of the Land. — Old cultivated land requires much 

 more preparation for the reception of grass seed than virgin native grass 

 land This is because weed growth has been more rampant in old cultivated 

 land, and the soil has become a repository for all classes of weed seeds. 

 Such land should be given a fallow and constant cultivations prior to sowing. 



Sowing at the Wrong Time. — The prevalent weeds of the district and their 

 periods of growth should be familiar to the farmer before sowing his seed. 

 For example, if autumn sowing is necessary, such weeds as Cape weed, 

 sorrell, spurry, and chick weed need to be taken into consideration. The 

 seed should be sown either long before the ordinary time of arrival of these 

 weeds so that the grasses may become thoroughly established and be able to 

 combat the weeds, or it should be deferred until the weed seedlings have 

 appeared, after which the land should be cultivated before the grass or 

 clover seed is sown. 



A Poor " Catch" from Seeding. — Owing to temporary dry conditions, in- 

 fertile seed or other causes, pasture seeds often fail to germinate satisfactorily 

 and a bad stand results. A poor stand of grasses generally means the sub- 

 sequent encroachment of weeds, and such a pasture should be ploughed up 

 and resown as soon as practicable. 



Injudicious Stocking — If stock are turned on to the grasses too soon they 

 prevent the grasses from developing properly, and the small and weak growth 

 of the grasses is insufficient to smother the weeds. It is always a good plan 

 to stock lightly at the first grazing. This encourages stooling, and a more 

 even pasture results. In feeding off a pasture it should neither be under- 

 stocked nor overstocked. Understocking sometimes results in the grass,-> 

 remaining dormant, and weed growth reaching perfection, and being allowed 

 to seed. Overstocking, on the other hand, generally results in the finer 

 grasses and other plants being eaten too closely and the noxious weeds and 

 other growth bcin^ allowed to <*row. 



