1 Nov., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 463 
As examples of the benefits attaching to membership a farmer can 
saye 22s. 6d. by purchasing a plough through the association. A harvester 
can be bought on two years’ terms at a saving of £14. Last year 14 tons 
of twine were purchased; this year they expected to buy 30 tons. While 
pate had been cut very low they had an offer at a still lower figure. 
achinery, bags, twine, tea, &c , are bought for members, and a lot is being 
done in insurance, life, fire, and stock, in which line enormous commissions 
were paid toagents. So far not a penny has been lostin bad debts. Branches 
are being opened in other parishes. 
It is refreshing to find farmers banding together for their own good in 
this manner, arid there is no doubt that the association must ultimately extend 
through the whole State, and take up business at present untouched. 
We do not propose to reiterate all the advantages to be derived from 
co-operation, but will refer our readers who have the back volumes of this 
Journal to the following articles which deal exhaustively with the subject :— 
Some Things we Need, Vol. I, p. 6; Co-operation in Marketing Fruit 
P 113; Co-operative Association in New Zealand, p. 267; The Want of 
ohesion, p. 412; Co-operation in South Australia, p. 414. Co-operative 
Bacon Factories, Vol. II., p. 88; Co-operation, p. 171; Co-operative Associa- 
tions in France, p. 175; Co-operation—a Gain, p. 335; Co-operative Flour 
Mills, p. 336. Co-operative Farming in Germany, Vol. IIl., p. 189. Co- 
operation for Farmers, Vol. VI., p. 168. Co-operation, and How to make 
Practical Use of It, Vol. VII., Conference Supplement. 
A NEW PASPALUM. 
Paspalum virgatum is the name of a new and apparently, to judge from 
the price of the seed (5s. per oz.), a rare variety of this valuable fodder grass. 
The seed was obtained by Mr. Berthoud, manager of the Experimental Plots at 
Drakesbrook, Western Australia, from Paris. The growth is said to have been 
wonderful, the plants in one season attaining a height of 6 feet, and being over 
5 feet in circumference. The stalks and leaves are fine, soft, and succulent. 
It is more upright in its habit of growth than the dilatatum, and is said to be 
equal to the latter in its drought-resisting qualities.“ Roots have been 
distributed to different districts. Mr. A. Crawford, writing on the subject of 
valuable grasses in the Journal of the Department of Agriculture of Western 
Australia (Vol. IV., Part 3, September, 1901), says that it seeded very freely at 
Drakesbrook. So far as he could find out, it is not obtainable from any 
seedsman in Australia, and the only catalogue he saw it mentioned in is that of 
Vilmorin, of Paris, from whom he obtained more seed this season. 
. Of the seed*of Paspalum dilatatum, My. Crawford says it is to be regretted 
that there seems to be so much trouble. in getting it to grow. One farmer 
informed him that he had sown 20 lb. of it, and not more than a dozen plants 
came up. It is very delicate after it first germinates, and is easily killed off 
by frost or wet for the first week or two. After that it is one of the hardiest of 
our grass plants. It will stand heat or cold, severe frosts, wet or dry weather. 
It seems to be more suited for loose, loamy, or sandy soils, where it can send 
its roots down to a great distance. In pure, white sand it sent its roots down 
80 inches. Last spring Mr. Crawford planted out a number of roots in some 
of the stiffest clay he could find, clay that baked in the summer like a brick, 
and could only be broken up by a pick. At the end of the summer they were 
green and vigorous, although the ground was as hard as a metalled road. The 
roots had gone down 12 inches, and were very abundant, being about twice as 
large as the plant itself. The country that is now looked upon as utterly 
useless, except to grow banksias for firewood, can, he is satisfied, be turned 
into good pasture land that will carry great herds of sheep, cattle, and horses. 
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