GRASSES. 295 



Adaptations and Characteristics. — It thrives best in 

 wet localities or on low-lying vlei ground. While quickly 

 injured by frost, it is one of the earliest grasses in spring, and 

 at this stage is readily eaten by stock. When allowed to seed 

 it becomes very coarse and unpalatable. In some localities 

 Paspalum dilatatuni has proved to be fairly drought-resistant. 

 Sow 10 lbs. per acre. 



On account of the following disadvantages, it is becoming 

 less popular every year : — 



(1) Only at certain times is it really palatable. 



(2) It is extraordinarily susceptible to ergot. 



(3) As a weed it is very aggressive. It is distributed 



and easily propagated by seed, so much so that 

 many farmers who would like to rid their farms of 

 Paspalufn dilatatum have found it has spread so 

 much that its further distribution cannot be checked. 

 This occurs chiefly in parts of the Union where 

 mists are common, e.g., East Griqualand. 



(4) It is of relatively low feeding value. 



(2) Paspalum virgatum (Erect Paspalum). — This species is 

 a perennial also in very general cultivation. It is erect 

 growing, reaching a height of five to eight feet in a few months 

 after growth has commenced. While it yields very well, the 

 hay is very coarse, because of the thick fibrous stems. It must 

 be considered a hay grass less objectionable than dilatatum. 

 Provided the rainfall is heavy, it will give a good growth on 

 the poorest soils. Its feeding value is much lower than that 

 of grasses like the Sudan grass. 



It is similar to dilatatum as regards frost injury and early 

 growth. It is not so aggressive as water grass, and is there- 

 fore not likely to become as bad a weed. While the former is 

 a hay and the latter a grazing grass, a comparison is difficult. 

 On the whole, virgatum is a very much better grass, with 

 decided possibilities as a perennial summer grass for hay 

 purposes. Sow 5 pounds per acre. 



New Zealand Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) . — This is 

 a perennial grass making a very good winter growth • under 

 moist conditions on good soils. It does not do well on sandy 

 soils. In South Africa Tall fescue (F. elatior), a European 

 grass, has been used instead of Festuca arundinacea. This 

 grass, not being drought or rust-resistant, does not do well, 

 and many failures of the latter are due to sowing seed of F. 

 elatior. 



