FACTS FOR FARMERS. VARIOUS GRASSES DESCRIBED.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 159, 15 May 1873, Page 2

FACTS FOR FARMERS. VARIOUS GRASSES DESCRIBED.

(From Anderson Hall and Co.'i Catalogue for 1873 ) ALOPKCUBOB PRVTKNBIB— MKADOW FOXTUI. GRA'.S-jj^ This grasa is usually found on the best aud richest pa<-tufos in England, and should prove valuable on the rich flats of our rivers. It is very early, and grows rapidly after being eaten down ; produces, long, broad, soft foliage, and bears a stout stem. Once established in rich soil it vv ill doubtless propagate it=-elf abundantly. This is one of our choicest grasses ; is splendid feed, and should be included in every nu\l ure. The- seed 13 particularly light, and rcquireb careful sow mg — [Not "uitable for lawns. — -Ed ] Vox Pumi^M— SirooTn-STAr,KKD Mkadow Grvss— • Tin-, vauety is sure to lake a first place among imported gr.is,es It grows naturally in dry soil, has creeping roots, which enables it to withstand a long dry season, it is able to stand its ground against nny imtuml grass when one*, established, and is to bo found generally growing in largepat dies to the collision ol |all other grasses. It makes fine cail,) feed and fields a l.uge quantity of heibage. Tins vanet\ should pi'ove itself invaluable in Queensland. Fism v Piun^is — Me\dow Fe&cue Grafs. — This grass is geiusrallv found under similar circumstances as Alopecurus Pralensis, pieferring a- rich damp soil, in which it grow s alnindeuilily. It has broad green, leaves, very bright in colour, is fibrous rooted, and ol perennial duration. This should prove one of the best fattening glasses for such as tht , Chvcncc. AxrHOX\xnnr\r Odorati m — Sweet sci.xueo Vi p.vai. GtKASS. — This is an old friend from English meadows— uS M pleasant pepfuino gi\ es )\&) out from the pastures \\ hei c it ™ abounds tlio delightful fragrance so well-known 111 the old country. 1b grows to the height ot 15 to 18 inches, ia fibrousrooted, and grows naturally iv dry pastures, bo that we arc induced to think it will jmove itself suitable to our climate. It is highly esteemed in England for a sheep pasture guisIt forms a close sward, has broad foliage, ami its flower stem is erect and easily recognised. This grass should alwavs^fro included in a lawn mixture, for tho r»asona we have named above. LoLirir Peuexxe — Pi:r>nxim, Rvii Grass. — There ino doubt this is one of the most impoitantofour cultivated grasses, and every year its valuo is becoming more and more recognised. It seems to adapt ltt-elf to any soil, germinate? fteely from seed, is easily propagated, and seeds abundant!). This valuable grass is of upright habit, beanng abundance of nutritious foliage, which is, at all times, relished by stock ; it stooli out freely, but does not glow 111 tufts ; lls roots arc fibrous and penetrating, which gives it a permanency that does not belong to many others. Although Sliis^s one d£ tho best known grasses, much disappointment is experienced by persona too anxious to realise a rnpus profit on their outlay, and a few hints on its management will be useful to intending purchasers. In selecting Eve grass seed it is advisable to obtain the heaviest samples for, as a rule, such seed is the produce of old pastures, and more durable tlrin seeds saved from young crops. The-disappoint-ments previously alluded to arise from, a want of knowledge of the character of the grass, and arc easily explained. H}e^ grass is naturally peienniak bu> may prove annual through^ a little mismanagement. To make a good serviceable pasture, we would oiler the following suggestions : —The land should be clean, and brought to a fine tilth ; when sow ing is finished lot a bush harrow be passed over the paddock, and then a rolior of medium weight j when the yonng grass is about six inches high either pasa the scytho over it, or let it be eaten off irith sheep or jonng cattle when tho land is not too moist. Continue to put the stock on it during the whole of the first sea-on, but do not, by any meant, attempt to let it stand for cither hay or seed until it has been well grassed. By this treatment the grass will become more dense in its habit, and much more profitable in after years ; if allowed to mature seed the first season, it will be forced to a premature death, and cause much loss and disappointment , while tho seed produced w ill be a worthless annual variety. We wish, particular^ , to impress upon our customers that this 1 is not the Italian Kje Grass, though it is very fiequently ordered by that name. The seed of the two varieties arc easily distinguished ; tbc Italian having n bcaided seed. From the great demand for Eve grass seed of late years, we have given our strictest attention to the selection of good samples of rolouHil growth, m order that we may be able toj supply our customers with a superior article, and irec from J weeds. We will be happy to submit samples free by post, and to make special quotations for largo parcels. Pin.Kint Phatexsk — Timothy Giuss. — The grass of America, — as there it is cultivated to the eiclusion of nearly all others. This may bo accounted for from the fact that 1L adapts itself to nearly any soil, is a capital grazing gra^s, aud produces excellent haj. Another good quality which it possesses is, that you can grew a full crop of seed, well ripen | it, and thresh it, when the hay will be found to be moie nutritious than if it hud been cut green. Its favourite locality Is » moist soil, but will sucrccd well on bigh and dry jiJaic-*, where its roots w ill become bulbous. It i& of strong glow tL, aud yields abundant feed. Holcus Lamius — Mkapow Soit Ghass. — This gra«s grows in England, on poor laud, and particularly on Hidl on < a swampy or moist character. It produces a laige bulk ol* forage in early spring, but is not considered to be the best of ] feed, as stock will often neglect it for other grasses: it is fiid j 1 to bo deficient in the sub-acid so much relished bj stock ; ' however, on such soils as we have described, it will be found ■ to flourish where other grasses would not succeed. Tin-, grass is also known as "Yorkshire log" — "Woolly Soft Grass." Prairie Grass — -Broius Schuxdkui. — This most vulu1 able plant has now become so favourably known, that we do. not consider it necessary to say much in its favour. We may : state, however, that it is a very hardy variety, 1 stands diought • as well, perhaps better than other grasses, and can be kept ' constantly under the scythe, and is well reh&hed by all kinds J of stock. We desire, however, to give cultivators a few hints J which may save disappointment from the result of first truilj It is firmly believed by man} that Prairie glass is an annual^ s uch having been their experience of its durability. This, however, we shall readily explain to be the result of a weak first growth being allowed to run to 6ced, and thereby weakening the young plant to sucli an extent that it becomes run out, and prematurely disappeai a. Let those who are an\ious to succeed with the cultivation of this valuable grass cut it for the first season, after which, if required for pasture, let , tho stock be turned in (the grass should not be kept too , closely eaten or cut down) — and we venture to say that all f shall be amph satisfied that, as it continues to spread from , year to year it is not an Annual, but a " Perennial." We . recommend autumn and winter as the best seasons for sowing; and, if this cannot be accomplished, it should be done early in spring, 1-0 as to establish the braird before the sum mer sets in. We recommend it as most valuable to squatters, \ who, by sowing u few bushels broadcast over their runs, will \ •enure u most permanent winter grabs. The quantity iequircd is two bushels, or 401b per acre. CYNOriPRr-i CnisrATUs— OuEsruu Dog's T-ur, Giuss — This is one of the most useful grasses ; it is not particular to ] soil, is rather dwarf in habit, lenves being short and rather J , narrow, giving it rather a stunted appearance; however, i-^ a sheep grass, it is to be recommended, as they keep ll eloselv eaten down, which is always a criterion ot the quality of a , grass. Its seed «terns are rather hard and course, and aie , not generally' eaten by sheep, so that if will rapidly sprcid Ylhcn once introduced ; it makes a thick turf. This forms j part of our lawn mixture. 1 < Dactylis Glomkjuta — Cocksfoot. — This gra^ lias [ already come into general cultivation, and is sown in large , quantities. Its fattening qualities are well known, and it has proved itself one of the hardiest of all our imported , varieties. Its habit of growth is tufty ; has broad glaucous [ green foliage ; grows v cry rapidly after cutting. Stock eat it greedily, and do well on it. It succeeds in nearly every , description of soil, on high dry situations, as well as in most , shady places. In Amenta its is known as the orchard grass. We can confidently recommend it as one of our best pasting grasses. ™ Crvonoif Dactylon — Couch Grass or Dook Grass. — This is, without doubt, our most valuable pasture grass, as many pastures where it abounds would bo eomparativelv [ worthless without it. As summer grass it has no equal, as during the hottest weather,, it has always a green appearance ; however, its fattening propcitiea are not equal to many ' others. Whero it docs not grow imturally, it would be a valuable plant to introduce for Jbmdmg sand-hills or dams, or for sowing round sheep and cattle yards, as ita long creeping roots shoot at every joint, and thus form a complete '. carpet, or network, of roots. During winter it is very brow v, but its wiry stem will always give a nutritious bite The collection of seed is a matter ot great difficulty ; how ever, vv c have secured a good supply for present season. This seed benis; very light, it must bo carefully sown, and should always be mixed with band, as, getting the seed to germinate is a matter of great difficulty. Wiiiti' L'iovkr — is found to succeed ndmirablv in mostl districts of our colony, Mid in some parts it seems to bel almost indigenous; it suffers during dry seasons, but ill springs afresh after tho first rains. It is excellent feed, nndkfl is admirably adapted for mixing with other grasses, annß • should be introduced into every pasture. A few lnnuhedl pounds sown over a run would be 11 valuable addition to thel natural grasses. ' I [ Pi;komvl Rid Clott.ii, or Cowgbass. — This vanetvl ', yields very heavy crops and is most suitable for cutting. Itl is found to succeed best in the colder parts of tho colon>. I Hrckwm vc - Tins is au excellent greer crop, and is'u-o-1 fill for pig and poultry feed. There is nothing better forl cleansing foul lamf than this crop; it grows thick, aud v ei J rapidly, and renders the land friable, and ready for the iefl . ccption of a permanent crop. In America buckwheat JiiJfl an. much e«t ccmed. We have a fine stock of seed (jLnS tity rcquiicd for an acre, two bushels. Sow when danger! from frost is over. " ■ LI'CKUM.. — This is one of the most extensively giovvn fur-B age plants in the colony, and, as the hay crop, lias b<wnH cultivated to the e-xclus.ou of nearly every of her. The la'rlß must be well worked previous to sowing— that is, wil'B ploughed, and, rf j)Ossib!o, well drained. The wd must bel litiluruliy oi good quality, else the crop will be stunted mull

The quantity of seed required per acre, sow" ■oadca-t.ia about twenty pounds; and if in drills, which, is Burnt to be recommended, twclvo pounds 11 suflicient. W un r vlo Sli u.-\Vc aie s o repeats Uy asked for seed of tin, sploudid grass, that we wish particularly to make- it known that it does not wed in our colon}. It bears a seed stem, but never matures the guvm. TL« U nmeli to be regretted, mvio thmk it has no equal for producing a UueW carpet of bright green during the scorching «wnt»M of our summer. Its foliage is broad, and of a bright green, it sruus on light ground, looting hko couch, and forms a pnngy sward, which ciunot be surpassed. lhw would be a valuable grass for binding b.inks, or for planting around wool sheds, as, once established, it would stand any amount of traffic. We cannot supply seed, but we can offer roots, packed in cases, at a cheap rate ; these cau bo diwdeU. into joints, and will readily increase. ' Sokchwm Sacchakatum.-Is all exceedingly useful lorngo plant, yielding a large amount of green food during the summer season, when grasc* aro very short, and green food generally scarce ; it is especially of serv.ee for , dair.yfcr.ners, and its highly nutritious and saccharino qualities should *lcommend its "culture to a much larger extent. Sow twelve pounds per acre, in drills, which is the best method; it j broadcast, twenty pounds. f Plaxtbh's Frikmj.— This is also a most valuable foi age plant, is of a stronger growth than the Sorghum Saccharatum, and is much hardier for winter use, and retains all its good qualities after our severest fi»st» ; n is also a sugari>roducinj{ plant of great value. Tvihm ok VETCTIK3.— A most vuluable pea-liko forage plant, winch makes excellent green food ; however, it is most commonly sown with barloy or rye, at the rate of hali-a-bushel to the acre ; and when so mixed is a decided improvement on barley or rye sown singly. If possible avoid exposing horses to severe storms. Uso the bru-.li freuh , find feed more or less grain. A common mistake- is to keep horses in the stable for days or weeks, and then when they aro worked letting them stand out in tho vet or cold. The horses arc weak irom want of exercise and nutritious food, and whoa they get home they arc in an exhausted condition. Grain is perhaps then given to them —and the end is indigestion and colic, perhaps deatn. A warm bran-mash might have saved them. But steady work and liberal feeding arc the true preventativos. A fanner's wife, writing to the Ohio Farmer, says :—Vt all the products of the farm, butter is most likely to be tainted by the noxious odours floating in the atmosphere. Our people laid some veal in tho cellar, from winch a little blood (lo«c I out, and was inflected until it began to decompose The result was that a jar of butter, which I was then packin-,', smelled and tnsled like spoiled beef. Another lady reader observes that there is a pond of filthy stagnant water a few hundred feet from her house, from which an offensive effluvium would at time be borne on the breeze directly to the milk-room, when the wind was in a certain direction, the result of which was that the cream and butter would taste like the disagreeable odour coming from that pond. As soon as the pond was drained there wa* no more damaged butter. A correspondent of the Prairie Fanner relates this experience, m proof positive that corn should be parched before bein<* fed to swine :— " Two years ago this coming April, I had about iifty 'shocks' of corn left over when grass came. It bern" on another person's farm I was hurried to get it oil. The fodder being verj dry, I thought I would make quick work. So [ scattered out the ' shocks' around on all sides and applied a match, and in a few moments there was nothing left but the ears of corn, and they in a blackened condition, but thought they would do to feed tho hogs. I had in the pen t«enH-five hogs, and to them I fed this corn, feeding the burnt inormng and evening and tho unburnt at noon, and never since I tried to feed hogs have I had thorn to do so well and get so very fat. My neighbours took notico of it, and have frequently spoken of it since." HOW TO SOW GBABSKB WITHOUT CULTIVATION ON Stations Busn Paddock, ou Nkwly-cleaked Land.— To do this successfully, wo recommend sowing during autumn. If the land intended to be sown is thickly covered w ith nativo grasses, it will be necessary to have it caton closely down, or better still, burned off; this done, _ select show en weather, and sow tho grasses broadcast, and immediately' drive a ilockof shflopoAcr it so as to tlrivo in the B.>ed ;* this will be cifcetually done if the ground is moist. Should rain follow the sowing the young grasses will soon nuke their appearance, and establish th<jmselTes before tho following summer; it will take two seasons, however, for them to reach their best.