CORRESPONDENCE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 May 1915, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

[Our correspondents' opinions eie their own; the responsibility of editorial onee makes sufficient ballast for the editor's shoulders.!

TEFF GRASS , .

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—This variety is a native of Abyssinia and wae introduced into South Africa some years ago, where it has .proved of immense vaule for fodder, and it is very useful for a summer hay crop. Where there is sufficient moisture to germinate, it is of remarkably rapid growth. It has. teen cut for hay in seven weeks irom the time it was sown. When it is high enough to shade- the ground, its progress is simply phenomenal, and as niarv ae two or three cuttings can be out ami.] in a short season. According to analysis, it is most nutritious, and u.utle, horses, sheep and pigs eat it greedily. One "farmer in South "Africa dec-hires that his cattle will leave tree lucerne for it, -while a prominent dairyman avers that it largely increases the flow of milk. A South African writer says: "An average crop in this dry eountry is two tone per «cre, but a good crop will yield three tons or more." Teff will thrive on any ground (wet or dry), but soil of a sandy porous nature is more suitable. It will grow luxuriantly where lucerne will not live, and being so well adapted to withstand drought, it should prove of great service to stocEowners Tours j faithfully, j

B. HARRISON. F.R.H.S Burringbar P. 0., N.B."\V., Australia.