STATION, FARM & GARDEN. THE GRASSES IN AUSTRALIA, NATIVE AND CULTIVATED.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1592, 16 September 1882, Page 6

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 npt 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 cultivaled jiastures 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 rrel- t able 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 growing 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 pro-:' ,'lific than further^ inland in annuaigrassesV-' that is' those <^hj^ > d&^

towards the central parts of the country, annual grasses/are comparatively rare ; and even in location's where the native pastures are thick, dense, and undoubtedly rich, the glasses 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 v 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 point concerning the native grasses more closely studied by those who have been talcing 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 dc 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 at can withstand the effects of lying in the soil for a considerable time ; and also to push uj a strong growth even during periods of excessive wet. But it is not desirable to sow valuable seed of that kind during either verj dry or very wet weather. The time for sow ing lucerne differs greatly in various 'parts o: the country. Where the winters are so cole as to check the growth of the plant, th< spring months answer the best. In th( warmer sections of country it does well wher sown in autumn, and also in spring. Th< more certain course is to sow during drop ping or showery we'aiher. 'When lucerne get! a fair start, and has time, from the presence of moderate rain, to send down its deep rooti into the soil, it is one of the most hard> plants, and proves admirably adapted fo; colonial cultivation, both for cutting ant grazing. Only good land should be preparct for lucerne, and it cannot be too deep. Boot: of this plant have been traced downwards j depth of twenty feet, one effect of which ii that it impoverishes the surface soil ver little. Indeed, where grazing of sheep i allowed upon it at intervals, the presence o lucerne extending over years leaves the sur face richer than when the seed was sown in it The preparation of the soil for lucerne seed and for all grass seeds, cannot be too care fully attended to. The harrow is especially effective in rendering the surface fit. Tin 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 broad casting, half as much more seed, or 15 lb. pe acre is not too much, but a pound or twi either way is allowable in accordance with th< weather or state of the soil. Dodder, ! parasitic creeping plant, which lives on th leaves and stems, quickly killing the crop is a serious enemy of lucerne. There is oni •ffective way only to deal with dodder Its presence is easily seen usually in spots o: circles, which assume a greyish color. Thesj have to be chipped out at once, and the sur face burnt, and re-sown. To strengther and enrich weak lucerne, top dressing witl manure of any sort, either moist or dry, is very effective. The crop can be cut as ofter as it shows signs of flowering, which will bf several times during favorable seasons. Another sort of lucerne, introduced froir California, where it is known as alfalfa, has come into favor during late years. It answers specially well in the warmer and the dries! sections of country suitable to lucerne. It i£ a lower growing plant, spreading or branching even more than lucerne from the crowns of the plant. The same style of cultivatior 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 oi 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 G lbs. of red clover do very well. Fmairie 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 well 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 ry.e grasses, botb,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, [n 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 )f yielding handsomely than the perennial ?ye grass. It yields enormously, and is good 'or hay and for grazing. Horses, cattle, and jheep all do well upon it, both in the green itate ; and very excellent hay is made from ;hose grasses.