Place in South African Agriculture. — In most parts 

 of the Union it should be planted for soiling and hay on rich 

 soils under moist conditions or under irrigation. Under these 

 circumstances it might take the place of barley to supply green 

 feed in winter. Although an annual barley has a certain 

 advantage in that it requires comparatively little labour in 

 planting. " Its distribution as a farm crop is limited, however, 

 by the fact that it requires rich soil and plenty of water to give 

 thoroughly satisfactory results."" To this must be added the 

 large amount of labour required in establishing the grass. It 

 is sometimes subject to ergot. 



NAPIER GEASS (Elephant Grass) (Pennisetum purpureum). 



This is a perennial fodder grass which is teceiving increas- 

 ing interest in the Union and in Australia. It is indigenous to 

 Central Africa and Ehodesia, and was introduced from the 

 latter place in 1912. 



Description. — In appearance it somewhat resembles a 

 coarse-growing sorghum. It suckers very freely, giving 

 numerous stout stems, which reach a height of 8 to 10 feet in 

 three to four months when once established. North of Nairobi 

 it is said to reach a height of more than 20 feet. It thrives 

 best in a hot chmate on rich soils, but is, nevertheless, fairly 

 drought but not frost resistant. In Australia it has given 25 

 tons of green fodder after four months' growth. At Hawkes- 

 bery College during the season 1917-18 three cuttings yielded 

 30 tons, and about 60 tons of fodder were obtained for the 

 whole season. 



Analysis in Australia gave an albuminoid ratio of 1 : 4 '3.'* 



Napier's fodder. Green maize fodder. 



Water 61'81 79-0 



Ether Extract 0-29 0'-5 



Protein 2-92 1*7 



Woody Fibre 14-77 5-6 



Carbos 17*29 12-0 



Ash 2-92 1-2 



While higher than maize fodder in protein, it will be seen 

 that Napier fodder is considerably higher in fibre. 



Uses. — Its chief value would be in soiling and for silage. 

 It should be cut for silage when the bottom leaves commence 

 to turn brown. Usually two cuttings for this purpose can be 



