PASTORAL GRASSES.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 220, 29 November 1859, Page 3

PASTORAL GRASSES.

{From the South Australian Register.) The facts lately published in New South Wales showing that the stock-producing capabilities of that colony are yearly growing less and less have naturally directed the attention of its cattle farmers to the necessity of sowing their exhausted runs with foreign grasses, and of so increasing the number as well as improving the condition of their stock. Lhe figures which we lately published must have convinced our readere that "with regard to the diminution of cattle in New South Wales there cannot be the slightest doubt. And with reference to the other point, the deterioration of the stock now running in that colony, we have some reliable information in a paper read on the 4th instant by Mr. R. Meston, of New England, before the Horticultural and Agricultural Society in Sydney. One paragraph is as follows:—• ■;

" The gradual exhaustion of many pastoral rum is not the only deterioration. A visible declension is also as certain in the average avoirdupois of our beeves and sheep. If proof is wanting, appeal to the Sydney butchers, and the verdict will be tantamount to something like a falling off, by 20 per cent, on sheep, and of 15 per cent, at least on cattle, taking an average the colony. Yet, farther another effect it darivative from some of these premises, namely, that the diseases of new types will appear, and«have shown their fatal, powers in various qnarters,. as the Cumberland endemic or enteritis, and the Castlereagh River malady or dry braxy, considerably varied in several diagnostics from the other. The same causes which produced the Cumberland disease of 1851 are fast extending themselves inland amongst the older setlements, even as far as Coola, and similar indications have been too apparent in several other places." 3 The main object of the paper^ however, as we have intimated, is the question of introducing foreign grasses, suited to the climate of Australia, and fit for the food of cattle. This subject, as our readers may be aware, has been largely discussed by farmers and others in this colony; but great differences of opinion still exist as to the grasses best adapted for the purpose in question. One grower maintains that seed from the south of Italy wouldfumish us with the summer feed for cattle, and experiments have shown that from such seen green pasture may be procured in situations and under circumstances where all attempts with British grasses have failed. Then, again, we have warm advocates of what has been called " Prairie grass," but which is, iv fact, the Bromus unioilides and certainly the testimony in favor of the adaptability of this feed for the climate and soils, of South Australia is very great. On this point the paper read in Sydney will be found especially valuable to the large class of persons interested in the matter here, since it bears out the results which our own experiments have arrived at. We extract the following passages :—-

" Many of the British grasses will not prosper in this climate, nor any of the rescue family, nor any of the meadow, to utility. Mr, Shepherd says that the Timothy grass of America (Phleum pratense) quite failed in his experiments—a circumstance to be regretted, inasmuch as it endures the heat of a Canadian summer, sends down into the earth a strong tap-root, yields large proportions of leaves when compared with its seedstalks, and is weil adapted for either hay or pastures. Botanists recognise two kinds, the major and minor; it is a grass worthy of farther trials.

" With the Ahpecurus pratensis farmers have been equally unsuccessful. On the other hand both cocksfoot and dogstail grasses promise to adapt themselves to our soil and climate remarkably well. The latter possesses the excellent property of matting, and in this respect is superior to the other.

" By my own experiments the prairie grass is preferable to either. It is constantly growing and shedding seeds, seems highly relished by cattle and when once introduced is likely to retain possession, by increasing abundantly. A plot of ground is set apart in my garden for raising supplies of this truly valuable grass; and it is earnestly recommended that this example will be followed up by many others, as worthy of imitation. But while we are laudably searching over many, lands for herbs, plants, or grasses, to enrich and improve our native land, as it often happens, we are not inapt to overlook the productions of our own colony. Few grasses will ever be introduced which in valne will excel our own kangaroo grass (Anthisteria Australis). There probably may be found many varieties; and that one on the Timbari t River stations is two years in forming seedstalks after burning down—a fact worth noting- " Next ranks the oat grass now only to be found on a few cattle stations, but well worth preserving. "Amongst grasses introduced, the doub or douba grass ought not to be omitted in our notice. It is hoped that colonists will not lose sight of this permanent grass, but extend its propagation by every means in their power. " Grass-seeds introduced from Britain so often turn out decided failures, either by bad or damaged seeds, unsuitable soils, climate, or unskilful management, than many, in despair of succeeding, abandon further attempts. Seeds are sown, but they do not spring up, or seasons kill, or vermin destroy: experiments are hastily, injudiciously made ; and the colony is blamed for all these and many other failures, mistakes, or mischances, most unfairly and unjustly. It is to be feared that amongst us are too tew experimentalists in this way, else we ought to hear occasional accounts of their successes or disappointments, as from either some information could be obtained. To a pastoral country, the subject is indeed of the utmost importance, for few will now entertain any doubt ot this fact, that the consumption of meat and the quantity produced are at present nearly balanced. If that supply diminishes, or the number of mouths increases, the effects will prove exactly similar; and a scarcity of meat is more to be to be dreaded than a scarcity of flour,of tea, or of sugar. But let the numbers total of sheep and cattle decrease, as undoubtedly is the case at present, aud the consumers themselves increase by immigration and gold-fields attraction, the colony will then feel the grievous hardships, not only of high prices of meat, bnt also meat of a very inferior quality."

The prairie grass referred to in the foregoing remarks, and elsewhere called the " Californiaa prairie grass," is no doubt the Bromits unioilid's, which has been often spoken of in this colony, and which Mr. Taylor, of Magill, and other persons have grown with the greatest success, and have found it to live through very hot weather. The comparative value of all these grasses baa we are aware, been discussed by the Fanners' Club of this colony ; but scarcely two authorities can be found amongst us who are in a position to agree as to the best ciop for general purposes. It is therefore of importance to find persons who have had experience in New South Wales testifying strongly in favor of a grass which there is much reason to believe is succeeding well here.

With regard to the Italian grasses, Mr. Meston says that every trial he made with them was a failure, though he thinks that might have arisen from the seeds being too old, or perhaps heated. He has a high opinion, however, of some of our native grasses; and concludes a very useful paper with the following suggestive remarks :—

"In the meantime measures ought to be taken in order to save, if possible, some of our best Australian grasses, ere they be for ever lost. To this society that duty eminently belongs. It remains for the acting committee and council to carry out the proposition. I for one will earnestly and willing, lend a hand in the useful work. In any new squatting regulations a clause ought also to be inserted, compelling licenses to sow a defined quantity of grass seeds on their runs, in a proportion assigned, as to the extent and actual (not assessed) numbers of sheep and cattle thereon. However wide voluntary principles may spread, they are not praauAeatfy eoaspkuaua uaaugpb tto sqafc*

The Antwerp Fortifications. —The Independence Beige replies as follows to M. de Cassagnac's article in the Constitutionnel :— "If the establishment of the entrenched camp is an English idea—if that camp is to be constructed to permit the English to land at their pleasure on the continentwhy did the Emperor Napoleon decree just after the expedition of Walcheren the es-r tablishment of an entrenched camp.little different from that proposed by the Belgian Government since 1848, and partially exe-j cuted in 1851 ? Belgium is so little disposed to open the Scheldt and the port of Antwerp to the English fleet that the fortifications of Antwerp have been designed to render an attack by the Scheldt as difficult as an attack by land. In order to attain [that object, since 1855 the necessary funds have been voted for the construction of an immense fort, intended to render the principal channel of the river, that of St. Marie, impassable. That fort has been feer gun since the spring, and will form part of a whole system of defence. Is more wanted to prove that Belgium, sincere in her desire to preserve the sympathies End the esteem of all the nations who are interested in her neutrality, has no other object than to defend energetically that precious guatantee against any one who may wish to attack it ? Will it be replied to such arguments, * Belgium cannot have any enemies, therefore; what is the good of constructing for- • tresses ?' The hon. member of the Corps Legislatif ought to have added, ' What is the good of keeping up a permanent army ?' ; If there is no need of fortresses, logically j there is no need of an army. Up to the | present time no publicist has laid down that conclusion, the absurdity of which is palpable. Would M. Granier de Cassagnac be kind enough to tell us of what use the neutrality of Belgium would be if that country might be seized without striking a blow ? We are glad to think that the French Government, more logical than M. de Cassagnac would protest loudly if Belgium announced her intention to suppress her fortress and her army. Our neutrality, thenceforth, instead of being a protection, would be a menace for her, and by that fact alone we should have lost the right to remain an independent nation. Our political situation offers considerable advantages, but it imposes on us, at the same time,'duties which we have no right to disregard." Experiment, in Potato Planting. —Four years ago Mr. Anderson, the spirit tenant of Meikle-Tarrel, Easter Ross, having read an article in the newspapers on the ingrafting of potatoes, tried the experiment on a few seeds in his garden, consisting of cup s and regents. The process was as follows : —He scooped all the eyes out of the regent, and inserted the eye of a cup in one of the vacant places, taking care that the insertion fitted the vacant place, and, for the purpose of making the two parts adhere, binding them together with a string before laying them in the ground. The string (any string ■will do) must not cover or bind the inserted eye. The experiment succeeded admirably. The progeny of such engraftment is a red and white potato, and an acre planted with such this year has yielded to Mr. Anderson the extraordinary return of 32 bolls, entirely free from disease. — Inverness Courier. A Limit to Tamperers. —From the North China Mail we see that an attempt to tamper with papers given at a literary examination, had occasioned a • ministerial crisis' at; Pekin. Peshuen, the chief of the board of examiners, had been bribed to substitute a good essay for an inferior one, b sfore the papers were submitted to Imperial; inspection. He and his assistant were decapitated, and the chancellor and other officials of the academy severely punished. In the Imperial rescript on the subject, examiners are exhorted ** to purify their minds by cultivating just thoughts," for \iterary examination is "a great ordinances" The End of the SicMes. —A letter from Washington, in the New York Herald, says: —"The friends of the Hon. D. E. Sickles in this city have learned that he and his wife are about to resume martial relations, if they have not already done so. It was rumored that he was about to sue for a divorce, but that idea has been abandoned. The families of both put their heads together, and, after discussing all the pros and cons, they came to the conclusion that it would be better for Mr. Sickles and his wife to live together again in peace and mutual affection, burying the past in the grave of oblivion. Both parties have agreed to this Step, and it is said their love is greater than ever. There is immense rejoicing among their friends, who have written letters of warm congratulation." Chubb Outdone. —The impossibility of rendering a strong box altogether safe against theft by means of skeleton keys has led a blacksmith in Frankfort-ont-he-main.to hit upon the ingenious idea of constructing a strong-box without any keyhole at all, and which even the owner himself cannot open. Why, what's the use of such a box? you will ask. But observe, inside is a clockwork, the hand of which the owner places at the hour and minute when he again wants to have access to the box The clockwork begins to move as soon as the lid is shut; and opens the lock at the moment at which the hand indicates. Time dependent upon the owner, is the key of the lock—a key which can neither be stolen from him nor imitated.— English Paper. A good lady, who had two children sick with the measles, wrote to a friend for the best remedy. The friend had just received a note from another lady, inquiring the way to make pickles* In the confusion, the lady who inquired about the pickles received the remedy for the measles: and the anxious mother of the sick children read, with horror, the following :'■'. " Scald them three or four times in very hot vinegar, and sprinkle them with salt, and in a few days they will he cured." Civility is always safe, but pride creates

Mixed Feed.—A. bushel of carrots and a, bushel of oats are as good feed for a horse, at moderate work, as two bushels of oats— not because the carrots contain as much nutriment as the bushel of oats, for they flo not; but they aid the digestive organsin a more perfect appropriation of the nutritive principles in both. When horses, are continually fed on oats, much of the food passes undigested, and is a dead loss except to the manure heap. So with sheep and cattle. Give them a few roots daily, and they will have a better appetite, digest their food better, aud eat greedily coarse hay that they would otherwise trample under foot—-Ohio Farmer. Gilding the Marital Chains.— -There is great excitement among the habitues, of the Fifth Avenue with regard to the approaching nuptials of a rich Cuban with one of the fair daughters of pur own land. Tijie papers tell us that the bridegroom is "no less a person than ; Esteban St. Cruz Ovieda, of Cuba, and the fair American is Miss Fanny Bartlett, daughter of Captain Bartlett, of Maine, late *of the United States Navy. The gentleman is one of the richest residents of the sunny Island, reputed to be worth about 4,000,000 dollars. He owns two large,sugar plantations, worked by some 2000 negroes, and a large number of houses and lots in the "city of Havana. The preparations for the wedding are quite Oriental in their magnificence, and would have delighted the gorgeous auther of " Vathek," whose gemdropping pen could alone do justice to them. One of the items of cost for the bridal trousseau is 600,000 dollars for jewellery. A sister of the bridegroom testifies her cordial appreciation of her brother's choice by ' sending on a little bridal present worth 100,000 dollars to her future sister-in-law.— Bulletin. America. —The election in Virginia, which resulted in the anticipated success of the Democrats, but by a decreased majority, has developed a new advantage in the ballot as a voting machine:, There, as in most places in the country, the party candidates are selected at a previous meeting of the party managers, and the ballots or " tickets,' 5 are printed beforehand with the names of the selected candidates upon them, the candidates for several distinct offices frequently being upon the same ballot. Thus you will see that the voter coming to the poll finds ready at hand complete lists of the party candidates; and the chances are that he will, to use the slang phrase, " go the entire ticket without scratching." Occasionally, however, .a, voter is found who examines the ticket and " scratches" it—that is, erases the names of objectionable candidates, and substitutes others in their places. One of the Richmond candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates, fearing this treatment at the hands of his townsmen, is said to have had all the party ballots containing his own name greased, thus rendering it impossible either to erase his own name ior substiute that of any other person, and putting the voter, to the necessity either of rewriting the entire ticket, or voting the whole. The dodge probably succeeded, as the opposing party are said to.have lost their tempers. . As one of the latest ultramontane objections against the national system of education in Ireland, the Nation complains that the pupils are taught to describe themselves as " English" children! " The schools which taught each Irish youth to bless God for making him * a happy English child,' would soon achieve that millennium of British history, Ireland denationalised!" A Simple Weather-Glass.— -Take a common pickle bottle with a wide mouth, and fill fa with water. Take a common eau de cologne bottle of the old shape, with a long narrow neck, empty, and invert it in the pickle bottle. Its own weight will cause it to sink nearly to the bottom of the water, while the shape of the pickle bottle will keep it in a nearly vertical position. The water will rise at first about half an inch in the neck of the inner bottle, and afterwards will rise or fall with the barometer. When a squall, from whatever quarter, is approaching, the expansion of the air within the inner bottle will cause the water in the neck to fall at times as much as two or three inches. The writer adds:—" I have had one of these under my observation for several months, and have never known a squall or thunderstorm to come up which was not foretold by it. It has been used with advantage by an old merchant captain, who had broken his barometer, and who always afterwards kept his two bottles on; thes winging table in the cuddy." Rats.' —A correspondent of the Gardener's Monthly says:—"l tried the effect of introducing v mta the entrance .of their, numerous' holes," Tuns, or hiding places, small portions of chloride of lime, or bleaching powder, in calico and stuffed into the entrance holes, and thrown; loose by spoonfuls imto the drain from the house. This drove the rats away for a twelvemonth, when they returnd to it.. They were again treated in the same manner with like effect. The cure was most complete. I presume1 it was , the chlorine gas which did not agree'with their olfactories." \ -■■■ ' Scotch Proprietors.— The total number of proprietors having property of the valpe of $5 arid under £10 on the valuation roll of. the Scotch counties, so far as returns have been made is 7,024, and the total number of occupants, of less than dg'so &iid more than ; ilOj 36,350. The total proprietaryof the; burghs is 6356, and the total 'occupancy, of; the same 56\350; thus making a grand total of 13,380 proprietors,land 82^00 ocu-; pants. The Counties of Ayr, Dumbarton, Edinburgh, Lanark, LinKthgo w and Perth refused to furnish returns, and have thus been guilty of a contempt of an order of the House of Commons. The promoter of the return thus ordered was Mr, Kinnaird, M,P,