296 CHAPTEB XVII 



The former grows into tussocks rapidly, is very free from 

 rust, and is not so susceptible to ergot as the paspalums. 

 Young growth is very much liked by stock, but if allowed to 

 grow rank its palatability suffers. 



It should be sown at the rate of 30 pounds to the acre in 

 February or March, 



It is a native of the Mediterranean region of Southern 

 Europe, was introduced into South Africa from New Zealand, 

 and has possibilities as a winter pasture grass under iirigation 

 or in moist parts on good soils. 



Chewing 's Fescue (F. ovina). — This is a fine-leafed 

 pasture grass, best suited to sandy soils in parts of heavy rain- 

 fall, where the climate is not too hot. Sow 15 lbs. per acre. 

 It gives a fair winter growth. 



Cock's Foot (Dactylis glomerata). — J. Burtt-Davy says : 

 " It is an excellent pasture grass where the conditions favour 

 it, but it is one of the most difficult to establish in South Africa. 

 In a few localities along the Drakensberg, Wakkerstroom, and 

 especially near Kokstad, it appears to do well, but in many 

 localities it seems to die out early and to suffer from drought 

 and rust. Cock's foot is eminently a grass for cool, damp 

 localities." In America it is one of the foremost agriculural 

 grasses. 



Italian Rye Grass {Loliuvi italicum niultiflorum) is usually 

 a biennial, and has proved fairly successful as a winter grass 

 under irrigation or in the mist belt of the Drakensberg. Seed 

 should be sown at the rate of 30 pounds per acre. It is very 

 frost-resistant and heavy-yielding, but, generally speaking, it 

 is an inferior grass to Phalaris hulhosa. 



Ehodes Grass {Chloris gayana). — " Is a South x\frican 

 summer perennial grass which is now more extensively grown 

 in America and Australia than in the Union. Ehodes grass 

 develops numerous running stems which root at every joint, 

 and after covering the ground with herbage the shoots assume 

 an upright position, finally attaining a height of 3^- to 4 feet." 

 A very palatable grass, good for pasture or hay. The growing 

 period corresponds with that of Paspalum. Sow 10 lbs. of seed 

 per acre in summer. The seeds require warm, moist weathet 

 for germination. It seeds well, will establish itself if allowed 

 to run to seed, and is fairly drought-resistant. 



