150 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Frs., 1899. 
department of the Neweastle-on-T'yne College of Science is proposing to 
demonstrate its efficacy by undertaking to spray a few hundred acres of land 
in some of the northern counties. The college proposes to supply the spraying 
machine, the material, and a superintendent to direct operations, while those 
taking advantage of the offer will be expected to supply three workers and 
two horses during the progress of the work, and also to contribute a small 
charge per acre towards the expenses of the undertaking. In order to show 
the effect of the spray on each area dealt with, half-an-acre will be left 
untreated in each field. 
With our Noogoora burr, thistles, Bathurst burr, and other vegetable 
pests, this remedy might be worthy of atrial. There are plenty of spraying 
machines available, and the cost would not appear to be such as should deter 
anyone from making a trial on a small scale. 
JOHNSON GRASS. 
WE have been asked on two or three occasions to give a recipe for the destruction 
of “that detestable weed,” Johnson grass. On the other hand, we have been 
requested to inform a correspondent where he can obtain sufficient seed of “this 
excellent fodder grass” to plant 100 acres. This contrary testimony gives rise 
to the question :—“ Is Johnson grass a good fodder plant or not ?” 
The answer would appear to be :—In certain localities, with a certain class 
of soil, and with certain conditions of climate, it may develop excellent qualities, 
but the general consensus of opinion is against it. Doubtless if it could be 
grown on some of the desert plains of the West, it would be found that camels 
would thrive ou it,.and possibly also stock of other descriptions; but judging 
by results in the farming districts we should strongly urge its eradication, 
especially as there are so many other really excellent fodder plants which are 
greatly relished by stock. 
The Australasian has the following conflicting statements concerning this 
friendless grass :— 
Amongst the warm advocates of the plant is Mr. W. O'Neill, of 
Narramine, who cannot understand why there are so many who advocate a 
discontinuance of its cultivation. His experience has been that the grass 
is a very fine fodder as well as an immense producer, and when asked if 
it is not a fact that neither cattle, sheep, nor horses will eat it if allowed 
to attain to a height of 6 inches to 12 inches, owing to the large amount 
of harsh ‘fibre present in the stem and flag, he remarks that this has by no 
means been his experience, as his stock eat it well when old as well as when 
young, and in a dry state as hay with as much avidity as while growing. This 
statement was certainly a surprise to the one to whom it was made, in view of 
the experience of numerous Victorian growers, who have found that the grass 
was rejected even by hungry bullocks, and of a well-known grazier, who says 
that the growing plants are refused by stock if not kept closely fed down. 
There may be something in the soil—salt or lime or some other element—that 
reduces the harshness of the Johnson grass, or imparts to it a sweetness 
unknown in either Riverina or Victoria. If this be so, it accounts for the 
favour the crop has found in the Narramine district. Its virtue as a heavy 
ytelder cannot be denied ; its capability in resisting dry weather is admitted ; 
and its freshness of appearance even in the heat of summer is such as to make 
WwW very attractive to those in search of green fodder when other plants are dry. 
If it be that the Narramine farmer referred to has discovered in Johnson grass 
the hitherto unknown virtue of palatableness, and can show that this qualifica- 
tion can be imparted to the plant by fertilising with lime or salt, or whatever 
other element may be necessary, then it must be said that he has made a 
valuable discovery indeed. 
