1 Dec., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 533 
are still improving and giving an increased quantity of feed. It is with us 
carrying a beast to the acre all the year round, and yet, during this season I 
have in rotation been able to shut up every paddock, allowing the grass to 
grow and shed its seed By this method a perfect turf can be obtained; it 
does not spread from the roots and joints like some of the other paspalum 
grasses, of which there are great variety. It stands any amount of grazing, 
and the trampling of stock does not injure it. In this district it grows nearly 
all the year round, but: naturally a little slower during July, August, and 
September. It stands drought well, the frosts do not kilt it, and I have cut it 
down and run a fire over it, and after this severe treatment it grew as 
vigorously as ever. There is nothing hard or wiry about this grass. It is soft 
and succulent, and there is no part of it from the crown to the seedheads that 
the stock will not eat. My observation of grasses has extended over many 
countries, as well as over most of the Australian States, but I have never met 
with any grass that would equal Paspalum dilatatum. 
' I have no knowledge as to its value for sheep, but all other animals are 
fond of it, and keep up condition. Its qualities for dairying purposes are 
undoubted, and every cow is kept in such condition as to enable her to give her 
standard of quality in the milk produced. My average test at the milk 
separating station is amongst the very highest, ranging from 3°6 to 4:3 for 
butter fat. I have found the proper times to sow are—middle of July to 
middle of October, first week in December to first week in February. In the 
former it catches the spring rains, and in the latter the summer rains, both 
accompanied by heat, which appears very necessary. The quantity of seed to 
sow per acre varies with the requirements: 5 lb. to 8 lb. per acre on well- 
prepared ground will soon result in a good paddock. If 1} lb. to 2 1b. per 
acre is sown, after grazing it should be held up about October, and allowed to 
grow and shed all its seed naturally. It will soon spring up, and the young 
grass, if anything like a favourable season takes place, will be fit to graze in 
May. Iconsider that allowing the grass to shed its seed naturally is the very 
best and surest method of thoroughly establishing the pasture. 
As soon as the stalk begins to bend over and attain a light greenish straw 
colour is the time to commence picking. Deal very lightly with it or you will 
lose the best of the seed. The heads should then be taken into a barn and 
shaken. This shaking may be repeated two or three times next day, by which 
time all the matured seed will be obtained. In leaving the heads in heaps be 
very careful not to allow them to heat, or the seed will be spoiled. The heads 
may now for a day be turned and thrashed, and although the quality of seed 
obtained by this second manipulation is very inferior, still a percentage of it 
will germinate. It may be used, therefore, for thickly scattering over rough 
eround. 
APTN great feature, too, in its favour is that it is not difficult to eradicate if a 
paddock should be required for cultivation. Ploughing alone would not do it, 
but by cultivation and bringing the plants to the surface, rolling and harrowing 
to free the roots from the soil, it quickly dies by exposure to the sun. It is 
very tenacious of life if soil should be left on the roots, especially in wet 
weather, but it does not grow from pieces of root like couch and some of the 
peas, but given plenty of cultivation and stirring and a few fine days and the 
trouble is over. 
When the plants are far apart the grass grows into big tussocks, but as 
soon as the spaces are filled up it forms quite as good a turf as any of the other 
TASES. 
2 There can be no question as to its being an invaluable grass, and it is now 
being eagerly sought for in this district since it has passed the stage of 
experiment. 
We are frequently asked to give an opinion on the value of Paspalum 
dilatatum as a fodder grass, and have always quoted the experience of Mr. 
Mahon, Principal of the Agricultural College, as to its excellence, and that of 
