AFRICAN WONDER GRASS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 74, 17 March 1908, Page 4

AFRICAN WONDER GRASS.

Mr, 1). Harrison, liurringhar, Tweed Kiver, 2vew South Wales, writes as follows to the Editor, under date 4tk iust,: — This is oiie of the heaviest yielding grasses we have in Australia, and it has also proved one of the best drought-re-sisting species. To those who own poi-r soil, or reside in dry districts, it should prove a great boon, and it should also prove most etlicacious in suppressing noxious growth, terns, thistles, etc. 1: is readily propagated from roots or porof the stem, winch roots ireely rti the juiuW. When well established, it t'oiju- a muss of tlie richest green foliage, lioni ">ft to tilt high, gradually lowering to the ouier border, where ;t network of shoui* and runner:- covers the ground. li roots ;tl the joints, and sends up then a body of the soitedt and most lusciolis fodder, and presents n .sight to delight the eyes of the spectator. It is spoken of in the highest terms of praise by all who have grown it, on account of its rapid and luxuriant growth. A reliable writer in the W\A. Journal of Agriculture says: 'As a result of numerous experiments, the African Wonder has proved the Ixst of all the grasses yel introduced to this State. U has succeeded, in almost every placo whore it has been tried, both in dry and moist situations, and iho introduction of this grass tor the stockbreeder of this State is worth several times over the money that has been spent fur seeds and experimenting with grasses during the last few years;' At one of our southern experimental farms this grass h«* proved a vigorous grower and sheep like it well. Being of rather coarse growth it appears to the writer to be better adapted for cattle. This •rrass has also been grown at several o\ the W.A. experimental farms, and has

given the most promising results; in fact, il seems to stand the dry weather better than any grass we have yet had •'rowing. From reports received, it appears to be doing equally well in sandy and elavey land, and also in dry places. This {irass grows most luxuriantly, and, as well as the upright growth, it sends out long lateral steins, which form fresh roots at the joints, and cause the grass to spread quickly.