6 



Egyptian agriculturist, whose live stock are fed on " berseem " almost ex- 

 clusively for six months of the year. One cannot help but being impressed 

 with the luxuriant appearance of " berseem " fields at this time of the year ; 

 and as it is possible that either as an ordinary catch crop or as winter fodder 

 on the Murray irrigation settlements " berseem " may prove of value to South 

 Australia, I append a few notes on its treatment here. I have also made 

 arrangements for the forwarding of some fresh seed during the course of the 

 year. 



" Berseem " appears to be generally treated here as a catch crop ; that is to 

 say, the soil in which it is sown receives no special preparation. It is sown in 

 the autumn of the year between mid-September and mid-November, and 

 frequently in a standing summer crop that has not yet been completely 

 harvested, such as cotton, maize, dura, &c. The rate of seeding has been 

 stated to be about 401bs. to the acre, representing something like 10s. in value. 

 From personal experience with similar seed, I should look upon such seeding 

 as excessive, and imagine that with fresh seed 201bs. should prove ample. 

 " Berseem " is always sown in land that has been recently flooded, and the 

 seed germinates almost immediately. It is generally irrigated two or three 

 times before the first cut, which will take place within 45 days to 60 days of 

 germination ; the young plants are allowed to shoot out again before flooding, 

 and the second cut may be taken within 45 days of the first ; later on a third 

 and even a fourth cut may be taken at equal intervals of time. The first cut 

 is very succulent, and later cuts drier and more nourishing. The last cut is 

 frequently left for seed. All the live stock of the country appear to be kept 

 on " berseem " during the winter and spring months ; and I can testify to 

 their condition being on the whole fair, which, I am informed, is not the case 

 during the summer months when no " berseem " is available. Bullocks, 

 buffaloes, asses, &c., are tethered out in the miniature fields, in which a circle 

 of " berseem " is cut out for them for feed. In no cases did I notice the live 

 stock trampling down this luxuriant growth, although I am informed that 

 it is sometimes done. In the neighborhood of cities " berseem " is cut and 

 carted on the backs of camels for the benefit of city horses. I was told that 

 one acre of " berseem " would in one cut provide feed for 100 working bullocks 

 for one day, and that from half to three-quarters of an acre of " berseem " 

 would keep a working ox for six months. 



" Berseem " favors heavy ground, but requires good drainage to give best 

 results. In Egypt it grows well in winter, running to seed in spring. If 

 cotton follows " berseem " the ground is broken early ; if maize follows it, 

 the soil is broken late. 



In fourth rank comes wheat, which in 1908 was represented by 15-38 per 

 cent, of the total area under crop, as against 20-42 per cent, in 1893. Wheat 

 indeed appears generally to have fallen out of favor, and Egypt, once the 



