Grasses—Grasse. 
It is necessary to use careful judgment about the time for sowing Grasses and 
it is a little difficult for us to advise definitely about this matter because conditions 
vary so much in South Africa and the advice that would suit one part might mean 
failure elsewhere. We think growers will be helped most reliably if we point out 
that there are roughly two sets of conditions prevailing and these arise out of 
the fact that there is a summer rainfall in certain areas as against a winter rainfall 
in others. Both these areas can grow grasses quite successfully but irrigation must 
play an important part in the process under certain conditions. 
The main point is to decide whether we shall sow in autumn, or in spring 
or early summer. There are not many grasses that are suitable for spring sowing 
under winter rainfall. Most of the European grasses are better sown in autumn 
under such conditions. Under summer rainfall, however, conditions are quite 
different and it is necessary to sow grasses at the most favourable time. When 
that time is must be determined in each district by growers accustomed to the 
local conditions. 
Where irrigation is possible the Rye Grasses and other European grasses are 
frequently sown in March even under summer rainfall and that approximates to 
the Western Province practice of sowing in autumn. Here it is preferably April 
or May but only because the earlier rains are insufficient. It would be better if 
we could sow earlier. 
The preparation of the soil for pasture grasses is a matter of the utmost 
importance. It can not be too well done. It is very necessary that the soil 
should be worked to a very fine tilth. This is important because many of the 
grass seeds are very small and if the surface is rough before sowing many will be 
too deeply covered while others will lie too near the surface and may be scorched 
before they can take root. 
Mixtures are usually sown at the rate of 30 lbs per acre but when certain 
varieties are sown alone the quantity varies according to the variety. 
The seed is sown with a small broadcast seeder, such as the “Cyclone” 
or the “Cahoon” Seeder, or it may be broadcasted by hand. This latter method 
requires great care to ensure even distribution and it may be necessary to mix 
the seed with some fine material to increase the bulk. This requires great care 
to ensure proper mixing. 
Before sowing the seed bed should be very carefully compacted by rolling. 
The object is to provide a firm seed bed in which the young seedlings can take 
root quickly and from which the moisture will not be too readily evaporated. 
A fine tilth and loose surface about an inch in depth will provide these conditions. 
It follows that after rolling the soil will again be scarified with a light harrow. 
The next operation is the covering of the seed and it needs even greater 
care than the preceding. The seed may be covered with a light bush-drag or 
by rolling once and light harrowing afterwards—any method that will ensure even 
covering may be used. If the soil has been thus well prepared and the fates are 
kind to you so that favourable weather prevails, a good growth can be expected, 
but much damage may be done by a few days of hot and dry weather immediately 
after sowing. The careful and experienced farmer will have the soil prepared 
■well in advance and the seed ready at hand waiting for favourable weather 
«conditions. 
When such conditions prevail the seed can be sown without any delay and 
will thus be able to take full advantage of them. 
During recent years there has been much progress in the establishment of pas¬ 
ture and there are now growers in the Western Province who sow large quantities 
of seed annually. 
Several grasses have proved valuable which have hitherto been neglected. 
The following are a few of them. Herd’s Grass, Yorkshire Fog, Kentucky Blue 
Grass and Akaroa Cocksfoot. 
The use of Clover in pasture mixtures continues to give favourable results 
and for this purpose Wild White Clover is particularly desirable. We are 
■fortunately able to offer New Zealand grown seed of this at much lower prices 
rthan formerly prevailed for the Wild White variety and this seed is now very 
extensively used by our best growers. Vnu will find it quoted in the Clover 
section of this catalogue. 
Page six. 
