1 Sepr., 1899. ] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 303 
The loss in weight by air drying, proved by actual experiment, was at the 
rate of 63 lb. per 100 lb. ; so that the total dry weight of the crop grown upon 
our piece of ground was 62,180 Ib., or 27-75 tons per acre annually. Making 
the reduction of 33 per cent. for unedible portions, we have a total of 18°60 
tons of air dry guinea-grass as the return per annum from one acre. 
The experiment would be incomplete without a description of the ground 
on which the crop was grown, I therefore append it. The piece of land 
in question, had for several previous years been used for the growth of 
yegetables—in fact, until it had become quite “sour” and useless for this purpose, 
as little or nothing would grow upon it, either with or without manure, lime, 
&e., &e. 
It had had during the time vegetables were growing upon it frequent 
applications of manure, but no heavy dressings, and no manure at all was 
applied for some time previous to its being 
) planted with guinea-grass, and 
during the growth of the guinea-grass no manure of any kind whatever was 
applied. It was situated adjoining a field supplying grass to Government 
ouse, and little difference was to be observed between the erowth on the 
measured patch and the ordinary field, which was cut at similar intervals during 
the year. 
It will therefore be seen that the yield obtained is from ordin 
without tillage or manure. 
On the last crop being taken the grass roots were removed, the ground 
again being suitable for the cultivation of vegetables, &c. 
_ The analysis of guinea-grass as grown in Trinidad at the cattle farm, is 
piven by Mr. Meaden in the proceedings of the Agricultural Society, as 
ollows :— ; 
a 
ary ground 
Carbonaceous 
i : Albumenous ates Mineral 
Moisture Compounds, Went eon Matters,| AS. 
Guinea-grass ws 18-90 780 =| 5g 49 14:97 
Gb hay =. inanla es Heals 11:67 ae 72°08 9°01 4-14 
etc Ap on aoe ‘Ty "25 i 86°07 5°68 63 
Bahama-grass AP ~ an; 15°50 6°59 | 65°94 11°95 
Para-grass ime ee 15°50 5°24 | 69:97 9-28 
* See moisture of Vetch in Church’s analysis below. 
Tt is not stated in the analysis whether the moisture in the guinea-crass is 
that of the air-dried product, but it is evident that were less moisture present, 
it would compare more fayourably with other fodders, the analysis of which is 
given in the table. 
In Church’s food grains of India, the analysis of the vetch differs 
considerably from that of the table he gives— 
Veron (Vicia sativa, Linn.) 
Water AO ee aT ex; KOFI) 
Albumenoids ie fy ro BLL) 
Starch al & eee ma ENA) 
Oil on ee rH m, ‘90 
Fibre aD cae fe vex, Led 7X0) 
Ash ve ne ‘ss an ay 
100-00 
Church also remarks that albumenoids in Indian vetches are rather high, 
the ayerage European sample giving 27°5 per cent, only. 
It would appear therefore that the food value of guinea-grass is not so 
high as has been commonly supposed, although as a fodder plant it must always 
ii first place on account of the large and continuous crops which it affords. 
