FACTS FOR FARMERS. 0 "VALUABLE FODDERR PLANT.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 164, 27 May 1873, Page 2

FACTS FOR FARMERS. 0 "VALUABLE FODDERR PLANT.

Tke following letter has been roc e< veil from Hie Cape <v Good Hope, by tbe Victorian Acclimatisation Society, and forwarded by Mr Lt» Sou r , tl.o lion Secretary of that Society to the Melbourne Press, foe general circulation :—: — " Kenhart, Cupo Colony, August 30th, 1872. " Dear Sir, — I desire to bring permanently under the notice of your society the valuable qualities possessed by a small ' bush ' growing on the northern border of Cape Colony. " It is known ta the colonists by the name of Schaap-bosh or Sheep-bush. It is a small aromatic shrub, seldom growing higher than twelve inches* It somewhat resembles a thyme bush in its growth and general appearance, though belonging to a different order of plauts. " The qualities thai* render this plant almost invaluable are thai sheep, oxen, horses, and goats are all exceedingly fond of it. It grows i» very chiy localities,, sometimes receiving neither rain nor other moisture for over six months in this arid clima f «. Nevertheless it continues slowly growing,, and on the falling of the- first slight shower is covered with succulent shoots, on which sheep and other animals fatten very rapidly. During periods of great drought (unfortunately very common here) the- stock nibble off the stems cf the shrub, to. the ground and by this me ins are maintained in fair condition. "This close cropping doe* not injuve the plant, but rather the reverse, as the shrub is very hardy and sends up a crop of rich nutritious shoots as soon as the grouud becomes moistened. The hush is perennial, and is known to- live and grow luxuriantly for more than 14 years. Probably it lives for a much longer period. "II constitutes a rich and healthy pasturage for sheep. Whole districts, that but for this bush- w ould be valueless and wastes, are thickly stocked with sheep, and support a population of well-to-do farmers. " The crop of seed it yields is very large, aad sheep become the means of rapidly extending its- growth, -when fed upon it in seed-time. "When in flower (from the months of July to September) stock become- fat in a short period. " Winter or summer, with a little moisture, it is always green and growing. " The bush grows in the greatest perfection in the ' Victoria West ' division of tbe colony. This district is included between 3Odegs. and 32 degs. S. latitude, is at an elevation of from 3000 ft. to 4000 ft. above the level of the sea. In summer the heat is very intense, while in winter the opposite extreme is reached, by the cold fronts occurring every night for three months. Its- favourite soil is a- rich light loam of a red colour, and it prefers level plains, sucli as most of the above-mentioned districts consist almost entirely of. " It also grows on almost all varieties of soil, such as sand r soil derived from decomposed granite, among schistose, granitic, and igneous rocks, on limestone banks, between the crevices of rocks, on hill sides and tops. In fact, it appears to adopt itself to almost any soil or position. " In my recent trips I have been particularly stru«k with the immense valae of this plant, and feel convinced that ifc would be a lasting boon to the sheep-owneri of the northernparts> of Victoria (the Wimmera »nd Murray districts, for instance), Riverina, South Australia, and very probably the greater portion of all the colonies, where not at too great an elevation above the sea, or too moist, if it {could be introduced, ns ifc would supply the stock with nutritious food while the grass would be young. There are two kinds of hush; the most valuable for Australia grows at Victoria West. By next mail I will send you a small packet of seed collected by myself, and hope they will succeed. For further supplies I would refer you to the following gentlemen-: — The Rev Liebrandt, Victoria; W. J. Jackson, Esq., Schelder's P., Victoria W. ; T. Devenish jun., Esq., Victoria W. ; and J. M'G-ibbon, Esq., Botanical Gardens, Cape Town. "Earnestly trusting that your society may consider it worth their while to introduce this desirable adjunct to the Australian grass. — I remain, yours, &c, " 0. J. Dunn."

To this letter h appended the following note by the Baron Yon Mueller : — " From 'the description given in Mr Dunns letter it is utterly impossible to say what South African bush (scientifically defined) he refers <a I fancy, howiTer, that it is the Pentzia virgata, about which in ray select plants I have given somo notes. It has no affinity whatever to the Riverina saltbush, and I enclose a fragment of this plant from my museum, which for identification, might be sent to Mr Dunn. I have the plant in culture, b\it it will bo many years before it produces a sufficiency of progeny, and from them a large quantity of seeds, so as to be effectually di-seminated over our pastoral districts. Whatever plant Mr Dunn refers to, he and the gentlemen whom he indicates might send us a large quantity of seed for distribution among the squatters. I imagine that this one is not the only kind of fodder bush to be introduced from South African countries, because the genus Penlzia itself contains eight species, and allied genera contain many other plants. . . ► . If the fodder bush to which Mr* Dunn refers is not the Pentzia, then he might send a dried specimen in a letter with a view of my settling the name."