13 

 Tropical Fodder Grasses. 



The selection of suitable grasses for cultivation in tropical 

 countries is a matter of considerable importance. Few countries have 

 completely solved the question. It is evident also that a good deal of 

 time and energy is spent in the effort to introduce foreign grasses, 

 when there are excellent indigenous grasses close at hand. It is 

 proposed to draw attention to a few grasses that have attained to first 

 rank for fodder purposes in the tropics, and to give particulars 

 respecting the conditions under which they have been found to thrive. 

 It is well known that the same kinds of grasses do not succeed equally 

 well in all localities. There are certain conditions and peculiarities of 

 climate and soil to be considered ; but there is no reason to doubt 

 that if careful experiment is made, suitable grasses can be found for 

 cultivation in almost every tropical country. In some of our colonies 

 it is well known that grass, even for valuable horses, is gathered day 

 by day from waste places and jungles. Such fodder is not only poor 

 in quality, but it is liable to be infected with disease from stray 

 animals. Further, during seasons of drought, the fodder supply is 

 likely to fail altogether. The selection and cultivation of grasses, 

 with particular reference to their grazing qualities, or for the produc- 

 tion of hay, should receive more attention, and it will doubtless 

 become, before long, a regular branch of rural industry in the tropics, 

 as it has been for so many years in temperate countries. 



Natural Herbage. 



In the tropics the difficulty in establishing grasses is caused by 

 the usually rank growth of weeds and bushes. These soon overrun 

 any cleared area, and they have to be continnally eradicated, or the 

 grass would be completely destroyed. The natural herbage in most 

 tropical countries would of itself form excellent pasture for cattle and 

 horses. There is hardly any part of the world entirely devoid of good 

 grasses, and these should first of all receive attention. Where no 

 suitable fodder grasses are available, then, under such exceptional 

 circumstances, it would be well to introduce the useful " Guinea 

 Grass " and " Para Grass " for cultivation on land suitable for the 



purpose After the grass has become thoroughly 



established, an annual clearing after the rains is all that is required. 

 It should, however, be understood that continuous feeding is injurious 

 to the permanency of good pastures. The best grasses are thus 

 destroyed, and rank-growing ones gradually take their place. Close 

 feeding for a time is advantageous, but the pasture should have time 

 to recover before the animals are again placed upon it. Further, it is 

 better to keep cattle on a portion of the pasture at one time, and not 

 allow them to wander at will over a large area. 



Trees in Pastures. 



Thwaites recommended that in Ceylon trees should always be 

 planted upon land laid out for permanent pasture. The trees would 

 afford grateful shade to the cattle, and they would prevent the grass 

 from being entirely dried up during seasons of drought. Trees would 

 also add to the beauty of the country. Most extensive pastures, 



