260 — QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Apri, 1898. 
PASPALUM DILATATUM. 
This grass was introduced into the Richmond River district about five years 
ago; and after noting its texture and watching itsrapid growth, and the avidity 
with which stock seemed to eat it, I determined to give it a fair trial as a 
permanent pasture grass, and it has more than answered my expectations. It 
has now been growing on my farm for nearly four years, and the results prove 
it to be the very best grass in the district; it gives me more feed all the year 
round than five times the acreage planted with any of the other grasses. Of 
course I mix other grasses with it, such as cocksfoot, rye, clover, some of the 
poas, rib-grass, and others as a change for the stock, but the pasture smay fairly 
be said to be solid with Paspalum. It naturally attains a height of 2 feet 
6 inches to 8 feet when in seed, and it bears a large quantity of seed-heads ; 
These, however, do not ripen all at once, nor do the seeds on the same head, 
but as the heads ripen the matured seeds drop out, and so go on dropping 
until all the good seeds have fallen out. This peculiarity makes it tedious and 
laborious to save a first-class marketable quality. If the seed is gathered when 
the heads begin to shed (which is the right time), the stems should be taken 
into a barn and shaken, not thrashed, for the first two or three days; all the 
matured seeds will shake out with the first three shakes; and although, 
if shaken again for several days, a great deal of seed will be obtained, 
it will contain so many unripe seeds that it is not fairly a marketable 
quality, and would not give satisfaction to'a purchaser. It should all be 
saved, however, for home use, because a percentage of.it will germinate. 
If the crop is allowed to go a little over-ripe before saving is commenced, a 
first-quality seed may still be obtained, but the sample will show rather too 
‘many of the dried immature seeds of a straw-colour. ‘The quality of the seed 
should be judged by its relative weight. Great care, labour, and judgment are 
required in saving a first-class marketable quality, and I do not think the price 
can go much below its present value for a first-quality seed. 
Wholesale, I am supplying the Sydney seedsmen at 4s. per lb., but smaller 
quantities are charged for at 5s., all freight to be added. It stands grazing 
well, and goes on for years producing a vast quantity of feed. At present it 
is with me carrying one beast to the acre; and as the sole thickens next year 
and all the bare places get filled (where I am continually burning off jogs), 
it will carry more stock. All stock eat it greedily; horses keep fat, and 
milking cows in good condition. The quality is undoubted, and I annex the 
result of my tests at the separating factory for 1897. It makes a first-class 
hay and chaff, and at present I am called upon for more than I can supply. 
This is the first season J have tried the hay and chaff, and I was not prepared 
for a regular demand. This will be remedied next season. If sown under 
favourable conditions, it will germinate in eighteen to twenty-one days, and as 
soon as it has formed its second leaves will grow rapidly. It requires, there- 
fore, rather a long continuance of moisture to start it; heat also is required, 
and it is therefore no good to sow at same time as our ordinary grass seeds. 
Lhe proper times to sow are previous to the spring and midsummer rains. In 
this district I sow from 1st December to 10th February, and from 1st July to 
10th September. 
The Queensland seasons may differ somewhat, but allowance can be made. 
When once established, it stands any amount of rough usage ; the droughts do 
not hurt it, and it stands the frost well, although the cold winter weather 
checks its growth. ‘Tire even does not kill the roots; at the same time it can 
easily be got rid of by ploughing and harrowing, as it does not grow from 
pieces like couch, &e. 
I annex copy of analysis, and also the report of Mr. McKeown whilst 
manager of the experimental farm here. The analysis is published in our 
Government Gazette, May, 1896; report, Government Gazette, August, 1896. 
Norre.—The seed will not germinate between flannel; at least as far as my experience goes. 
