PASPALUM GRASS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5108, 30 March 1927, Page 1

PASPALUM GRASS.

USE ON HAURAKI PLAINS.

POPULARITY INCREASING.

As in other parts the Plains, paspalum grass has been spreading along the roadsides about Patetonga, for a number of years and many farmers have been apprehensive as; to the future should it spread on to their farms. The grass has spread on to the farms, and experience ‘has shown the settlers that it is possibly the best grass that they could have. In Patetonga, as in other parts of the Plains, the prejudice against paspalum 'has been broken down, and strenuous efforts are now being made to establish large areas of this grass, together with clover. ,0n all parts of the Plains a difficulty has been experienced in establishing paspalum, but possibly this has been due to poor seed, as many samples 'have been found to have a germination percentage of less than 25. There is a marked difference of opinion on the merits of locally grown and imported seed, but the acclimatised seed seems to give the best results.

Paspalum is a grass that needs cftre to establish, for the young plants are tender and susceptible to cold. Probably it is on this account that good results have been obtained on the Plains by sowing the seed with a summer green-feed crop. However, it may be sown at any time between September and March, and a favourite method on the Plains is .to scatter, the seed about the farm and depend on the natural seeding to spread the grass. This method may be due to a lingering doubt that the paspalum maytake charge and drive out .the other grasses, with the result that there would be a shortage of feed during the winter months. Admittedly paspalum does not come away as early in the spring as some other grasses or clover, but from November to midwinter it will undoubtedly outstrip all other grasses. It has a growing season equal to any grass, and if ry® grass and clovers are present there need be no anxiety as to a shortage of feed at any part of the year.

Paspalum responds readily to toppressing, and this is very advisable, as tending to encourage the other grasses and clovers, which keep the paspalum from becoming sod-bound and provide forage during the Jean months. :

Of the value of paspalum there can be no argument. It provides more feed than any other grass, particularly if mown several times a season. Steck seem to prefer it to anything else, and will eat it down to the roots, even when there is an abundance of other feed available. The highest milk returns on the Plains are obtained from paspalum farms about Netherton.

Paspalum may be persistently overst< eked and frequently mown without detrimental results, whereas other grasses are weakened by this practices. The hay, though course, is much relished, and good ensilage may be made from paspalum. In addition to these benefits paspalum is particularly valuable for the Plains in providing a dense mat which will carry stock during the winter months, thereby preventing the farm from becoming pugged up. Also, and no less important is the fact .that once paspalum is established the invasion of weeds and pests such as tall fescue is reduced to a minimum. Partly because of its denseness and partly because cattle are always nibbling at it paspalum areas are noticeably clean. The Agricultural Department claims that paspalum will oust blackberry, and it is generally admitted on the Plains that it will beat tall fescue if given a start.

Though it prefers heat, paspalum will stand more water than most grasses, as is amply demonstrated on one of the flooded sections south of Patetonga where, about thirteen years ago paspalum was planted by a settler in the moonlight—fearing the wrath of his neighbours, as was natural in those days. Now that patch is the only green spot on the section.

Paspalum will not spread if given proper attention and is not allowed to seed. On the farm of the writer paspalum was sown twelve years ago for the purpose of eradicating Californian thistle, and it has not spread to neighbouring paddocks. Whenever the growth of grass anywhere cm the farm is such that the cattle are unable to keep it from seeding the mower is brought into action.