XAPIER GRASS, A PASTURE AND FODDER CROP FOR HAWAII 9 
should be cut or chopped before feeding. Taking the waste or uneaten 
portions from the mangers of the dairy cows and feeding it to young 
cattle, dry stock, or horses might bring about a more efficient use of 
the fodder in many instances. Xapier grass is probably fed most 
successfully with alfalfa, pigeon peas (Cajanus indicus), or ekoa 
{Leucaena glauca) in Hawaii. 
Because of the heavy tonnage produced and the ease of growing the 
crop, Xapier grass is one of the most economical roughages that the 
dairyman in Hawaii can feed. 
NAPIER-GRASS PASTURES 
Both Xapier grass and Merker grass are used quite extensively for 
pasture purposes. The use of these large, coarse fodder grasses for 
pasturage seems to be a rather recent idea. At least it presents a far 
different picture from the usual conception of a pasture in the Tem- 
perate Zones. Xapier grass, however, does make a very successful 
Figure 3.— Xapier-grass pasture under a system of rotational grazing. 
pasture at the lower elevations where there is sufficient rainfall through- 
out the year. These pastures have been particularly outstanding in 
the Kaneche district on Oahu and hi the Hanalei district on Kauai. 
Certain locations on Maui, especially in the Kipahula district and the 
lower slopes of Haleakala, are well adapted to the growing of X'apier 
grass. 
Ranchers in the vicinity of Hilo, as well as in the Kona district of 
Hawaii, could no doubt benefit greatly by the establishment of more 
Napier pastures. Probably one of the most outstanding examples of 
the successful use of Xapier grass for this purpose is to be foimd on 
the Prince ville Plantation Co.'s ranch on Kauai. Here may be found 
more than 600 acres in pure stands of X^apier grass, the paddocks 
ranging in age from recent plantings to others more than 12 years old. 
The horses as well as the cattle on the ranch are fed almost entirely 
on Xapier grass and they keep in excellent condition. The paddocks 
are grazed heavily, the cattle being turned in only after the grass has 
reached a height of 6 feet or more. After the pasture has been well 
