A NEW GRAS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 925, 1 December 1910, Page 4

A NEW GRAS

Some two months ago the Department of Agriculture forwarded to the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association a few roots of a grass known as Phalaris Commutata, which were handed over to Mr Blackley, of Rakaia, for experimental purposes, Mr A. Macpherson, Field Instructor to the South Island, has received a letter from Mr Alfred Gower, of Cambridge, who has been experimenting for some time with the grass. Mr Gower states that the more he sees of the grass the more highly he thinks of it. His first plot was 55 yards by 5 yards, and had plants 2 feet apart every way ; and now most of it would puzzle a strong man with a strong scythe. The second plot was one of 7 acres with rows 2ft 4in apart, with icwt of manure to the acre and iooz of seed. The grass grew up till it looked like a field of very good extra tall corn. “It is the greatest winter forage that I have ever seen,’’ says Mr Gower, “and cattle really like it. I cut the second lot for seed, then used it for my cows, 28 in number, lor six weeks. Then I put 20 calves, 15 heifers, 3 winter cows and two mares on it. It was shut up a month between. It kept all these for five weeks, and my three cows and two mares right on. All September my cows (25) were on it, and preferred it to 30 acres of other good grass which they had the option ot feeding upon.’’ Mr Gower adds that he is certain that Phalaris Commutata will give a greater amount of winter food than any other grass. It is stated that the new grass will grow on poor land, although the better the conditions, the better it will be.