STATION, FARM & GARDEN.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1115, 5 August 1882, Page 6 (Supplement)

STATION, FARM & GARDEN.

THE GRASSES IN AUSTRALIA, NATIVE AND CULTIVATED. BY OLD COLONIST. Young though Australia is, the country has already become famous for its native pastures. It is no mere figure of speech to say that no other country has ever shown equal results from indigenous grasses ; and where cultivation has been applied to not a few of the high class pasture grasses introduced from other countries, the results have been such as to warrant belief that in time to come the country will be as noted for its cultivated pastures as it is already for the native grasses. In numbers the latter are very varied, and it is impossible in a single paper to refer to them in more than general .terms. They differ widely in habits and in their qualities in the different sections of country. As indicators of the soil, no plants are more reliable than the grasses. Indeed, taking the open plains and the lightly timbered country where the grasses grow in the greatest plenty and of the best quality, many men, whose botanical education is such as can be acquired by ordinary intelligence in the bush, are able, without a mistake, to indicate the nature and depth of the soil under their feet by the grasses giowing on the surface. In other lands a heavy sward of soft rich grass is an indication of good cultivation and good drainage. In Australia the appearance of sweet tasting strong grass, which stock take to readily is a safe indication of deep and free soil below. The character of the grasses, too, and especially during the spring of the year, whether annual or perennial sorts excel amongst them, gives much information regarding the rainfall, and whether the country is such as would be suitable for producing annual crops. Here it is not intended to follow the subject further than to say that, as a rule, having so far as known, but rare exceptions, the coast country is much more prolific than further inland in annual grasses—that is those which die out each year, and spring up again from seed, not from the roots. In the far-west and north-west, and also in the Northern areas of South Australia all tending

towards the central parts of the country, annual grasses are comparatively rare; and even in locations where the native pastures are thick, dense, and undoubtedly rich, the grasses spring from their own roots year after year. So persistent of life are many of them that although scorched up by heat and dry weather until the surface of the earth is absolutely bare, no sooner does rain come than the roots lying almost dormant and dead seemingly below the surface, send up new shoots and spring into active life in an incredibly short time.. And that activity continues while there is moisture in the earth, be that during months or years. It is this peculiarity of the grasses, with other peculiarities of the climate, which leads to such diversity of description from explorers, overlanders, and others who in their travels over the same stretches of country give such widely different accounts concerning it.

The object in view in thus referring to the experiences taught by the native grasses is to show how valuable they are as indicators of soil and climate to those who are taking up land, and especially where cultivation is intended. It will be seen at a glance that the chances of success with cultivated crops, be they grains or roots, are much lessened in sections of country where the native grasses are more of the perennial than the annual kinds. The rainfall in those places is irregular or uncertain; and were this Joint concerning the native grasses more closely studied by those who have been taking up land for wheat growing especially, vastly fewer cases of disappointment and loss would have occurred. Briefly, it may be accepted as a rule in connection with the native grass of Australia, that the country bearing the perennial sorts—provided there is sufficient water for stock—is the best for grasing purposes. That is, where reliance is placed upon the native pastures only. But where cultivation is intended the land or the districts in which numerous native annual grasses abound is the more suitable for the purpose. This brings us to the more prominent of the cultivated pasture plants and those suitable for cutting for green feed and for hay making. Amongst the very best of these is Lucerne.—This plant has been fouud to do well, where the soil is rich enough, in all parts of the coast country, and also further inland where the rainfall is regular and can be depended on to come seasonably each year. The seed of lucerne is plump and such as can withstand the effects of lying in the soil for a considerable time; and also to push up a strong growth even during periods of excessive wet. But it is not desirable to sow valuable seed of that kind during either very dry or very wet weather. The time for sowing lucerne differs greatly in various parts of the country. Where the winters are so cold as to check the growth of the plant, the spring months answer the best. In the warmer sections of country it does well when sown in autumn, and also in spring. The more certain course is to sow during dropping or showery weather. Wherf lucerne gets a fair start, and has time, from the presence of moderate rain, to send down its deep roots into the soil, it is one of the most hardy plants, and proves admirably adapted for colonial cultivation, both for cutting and grazing. Only good land should be prepared for lucerne, and it cannot be too deep. Roots of this plant have been traced downwards a depth of twenty feet, one effect of which is that it impoverishes the surface soil very little. Indeed, where grazing of sheep is allowed upon it at intervals, the presence of lucerne extending over years leaves the surface richer than when the seed was sown in it. The preparation of the soil for lucerne seed, and dor all grass seeds, cannot be too carefully attended to. The harrow is especially effective in rendering the surface fit. The sowing may be either in drills or broadcast. Drilling is the best, and when done carefully, 10 lb. of seed per acre is enough. In broadcasting, half as much more seed, or 15 lb. per acre is not too much, but a pound or two either way is allowable in accordance with the weather or state of the soil. Dodder, a parasitic creeping plant, which lives on the leaves and stems, quickly killing the crop, is a serious enemy of lucerne. There is one effective way only to deal with dodder. Its presence is easily seen usually in spots or circles, which assume a greyish color. These have to be chipped out at once, and the surface burnt, and re-sown. To strengthen and enrich weak lucerne, top dressing with manure of any sort, either moist or dry, is very effective. The crop can be cut as often as it shows signs of flowering, which will be several times during favorable seasons. Another sort of lucerne, introduced from California, where it is known as alfalfa, has come into favor during late years. It answers specially well in the winner and the driest sections of country suitable to lucerne. It is a lower growing plant, spreading or branching even more than lucerne from the crowns of the plant. The same style of cultivation and quantity of seed answers. There has been much discussion concerning this alfalfa. It may be accepted as a very desirable variety of lucerne for colonial cultivation.

The Clovers, both white and red, do well over immense areas of country. In parts of the coast districts clover has taken possession of the soil, and has become as hardy as the indigenous fodder plants. Both sorts are all the better in rich free soil, but they will thrive where it is less deep than is necessary for lucerne. The red clover does well in places where the soil is clay or stoney, and seemingly too poor for sound pasture. The clovers are not so valuable as lucerne for pasture and are mixed with the rye grasses, prairie, cocksfoot, and other suitable pasture plants. In a mixture, 21bs. of white, and 6 lbs. of red clover do very well. Prairie Grass.—This is proving very valuable for colonial purposes. It is hardy, and makes rich feed both in the green and dry state. For dairying purposes it is very valuable, and, although of comparatively recent introduction, so well has it adapted itself to the soil and climate that over large areas it has taken hold as the clovers have done, and where not grazed too closely it resows itself and springs up year after year amongst the others almost like a native grass. The seed is more hardy than lucerne, it is larger, something like an oat seed. But, as in the case of all the grasses, the chances of successfull sowing are all the better when the work is done carefully and in we'll prepared land. About 20 lbs. of seed per acre is allowed in sowing prairie; less answers where the soil is very rich, but it is best to secure a dense heavy growth if possible. The rye grasses, both annual and perennial, or English and Italian, as they are termed, are worthy of the best attention when arrangements are being made for pasture making. In the damper parts of the country where rich, moist soil can be got, or where ■it is possible to irrigate, no plant is more capable of yielding handsomely than the perennial rye grass. It yields enormously, and is good for hay and for grazing. Horses, cattle, and sheep all do well upon it, both in the green state ; and very excellent hay is made from those grasses.