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March 1, 1909 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
11 
A NEW FODDER PLANT. 
Phaliaris Coramutata.: 
The Monarch of Grasses. 
‘Thorough Frost-resisting; Stands Feeding or Cutting; Grows best in Winter. Attains a 
Height of 7 feet. 
Excellent for all Climates. 
Hatract from “ The Australasian,’ May 18, 1907. 
Phalaris commutata. a grass, which has 
lately given rise to a good deal of interest, 
ahd has been extensively boomed, is a 
variety which seems to possess many 
characteristics which should commend 
themselves to stockraisers, and in appear- 
ance is a grass which seems to justify the 
glowing descriptions generally given of 
it. If the sample grown by Mr, J. Furphy 
of Hill End, Moe, represents the usual 
growth under ordinary conditions, then 
‘undoubtedly Phalaris commutata will be 
a valuable acquisition to our fodder crops. 
The sheaf of hay shown by him, which he 
says represents the growth of one root, was 
_aperfect sample of hay—juicy, of good 
color, and sweet tothe smell. It certainly 
looks a hay that should be relished by all 
kinds of stock.. Phalaris commutata is a 
native of Italy. It was introduced into 
‘Queensland in 1884 by Mr. Harding, the 
curator of the Toowoomba gardens, being 
one of many varieties of grasses obtained 
by hin from America. What 
he says of it appears to have been borne 
out by all others who have tried the 
seed. “The seeds’ he said, ‘* were 
‘sown in drills, and all germinated and 
made good growth until the first frosts, 
which killed all except one, Phalaris com- 
‘mutata, Requiring the ground space for 
other purposes, | removed this grass, and 
simply dumped into a corner of the nur- 
‘sery taking no particular care of it, Al- 
Trial Packets of Seed 
though the ground was very hard, it made 
tremendous growth in 1 year, germinated 
where it had fallen, and in twelve months 
grew into clumps 2ft across and 5dft in 
height, with nice, soft, succulent blades, 
and flowering stems. This has been cut 
two or three times in the year. The roots 
are fibrous, and the foliage very dense, and 
a bright green in colour, especially during 
the winter. In appearance, the leaf is 
similar to that of P. Canariensis, but the 
plant is much more productive. Visitors 
from all parts of the Commonwealth, who 
were shown this grass, were surprised how 
it stood the drought. To graziers and 
dairymen I particularly recommend it, 
being particularly productive throughout 
the year. It is easily propagated, and 
when once started, it will soon produce 
seed which, if allowed to shed, wil 
germinate freely. The seed is small and 
glossy. During the ‘93 drought some 
roots were in a bag for six weeks, and the 
only difference it made was that the foli- 
age was slightly yellow. though the plants 
kept growing all the time. It seems to 
like all kinds of weather. and from the 
rapidity of its growth it excells all other 
grasses I have had anything to do with. 
What it would be if properly cultivated 
it is hard to say, but it is a very desirable 
grass to introduce and distribute. By its 
own self sowing, it has covered a large 
amount of space in the nursery.” 
How to Plant it. 
Mr. Furphy, whose experience of the 
grass corresponds with that given by the 
Queensland botanist, states that his trials 
have been made on poor, light soil, and he 
estimates that if properly attended to and 
given a light dressing of superphosphate, 
it would yield 8 tons of dried hay to the 
acre per annum. These are very big fig- 
ures, and the grower who got half that 
retucn should be well satisfied that he has 
found a valuable new fodder plant. «I 
obtained.” he said,“a few plants, and 
transplanted at the end of April, and 
whilst putting them out in drills 3ft apart 
and 2ft in the drills by the end of June 
they had made a growth of 2ft, sending on 
the shoots, until by the end of the season, 
as many as 167 seed-stems had been pro- 
duced by one plant, the height being about 
an average of 7ft. It was a severe winter, 
but not a yellow leaf could be seen.” He 
suggests that the s:ed should be sownina 
bed like cabbage-seeds, and when the 
plants are sufficiently strong, should be 
transplanted 3ft aparteach way. Having 
only seen the grass in a sheaf, it is difficult 
to form an opinion of what it would be 
like for fodder purposes, but there can be 
no question that for hay it is admirably 
suited, and if it fulfils half the good things 
claimed tor it by the grower, Australian 
farmers should be well pleased. 
2s. per oz., post free. Price per pound on application, 
Sole Agents SWIFT’S ARSENATE OF LEAD. New shipment just to hand. 
TEX. <@z WAT 
- ACK E@xz, 
Wholesale and Retail Seedsmen and Nurserymen, 
73 RUNDLE STREET, ADELAIDE. Telephone 350 
