The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-07-28

SlOWlhS grass anu Wn0n Sne snail
have obtained it her future will be
fixed and written in very red letters.
Mr.. ]. A. Mcclure, of st. Augustine.
has been experimenting with grasses
and he now thinks that he has one
that will prove a boon to the East
coast and if to the east coast to all
other sections of the state as well.
Mr.. Mcguire writes as follows to
the Florida East Coast Homeseeker:
Dear STRENGTHENING that it will
be of interest to the readers of your
publication, | am enclosing herewith
description of the East Coast
Grass which l recently imported
from New South Wales, Australia.
My attention was first called to this
grass by an article in the Hoard's
Dairyman for September, 1910, at
which time l wrote to the author of
the article for information as to
where | could obtain the seed, etc.
and after an interchange of some cor
respondence | succeeded in procur-
ing eight pounds, which arrived here
on April II, 1911. I prepared about
one-eight of an acre of land on Sara
gassa street and sowed it with four
pounds of this seed, using a small
amount of fertilizer l find that it
terminates readily, the little shoots
appearing on the surface from seven
to eight days after sowing.
Il am watching this experiment
with interest, for l believe that, if it
can be successfully grown on the
East Coast of Florida, it will prove
one of the most beneficial and popu-
lar grasses yet introduced; as prob
ably no other grass will give such
good and satisfactory results under
adverse or trying conditions of soil
and climate as has already been dem
onstrated in many localities in Aus
tralia, and the favorable reports of
the wonderful results this grass is
producing indicates it's extensive cul-
tivation in the near futrre."
Following are some interesting data
and facts concerning the East Coast
Grass" furnished by Mr.. Mcclure:
This grass, known as eRhodes
Grass (named after the late Cecil
Rhodes), was originally grown in
South Africa. A few years ago was
imported to Australia, and has pro
duced wonderful results there that it
is rapidly coming into great favor.
It's drought-resisting peculiarities are
extraordinary, for it will remain green
during long dry spells, and yield we'll
when all else is burnt up.
THE famous paspalum has long
been considered the leading grass in
Australia, but in order to thrive well
and be a success, it requires a fairly
rich soil and a warm, moist climate or
artificial irrigation; whereas the
Rhodes grass will not only thrive we'll
where the rainfall is light and the
soil inferior, but will also survive
long periods of drought, and yield
we'll where the paspalum might prove
a complete failure.
1.-The seed is very light and line,
and terminate readily with small
amount of moisture From seven to
eight pounds should be suffic
lent to SOW one acre of land. After
termination the plant throws out
strong, vigorous runners, which root
at each joint, after which the shoots
grow erect to the height of three and
four feet. On good ground it is
claimed to have grown to the height
of five feet. 1t spreads rapidly and
presents a splendid waving mass OF
verdue that would delight the eye of
the stock-owner AS the seed is very
light. care should be taken, when SOW
ing, to prevent it from being carried
off by the wind.
Its yield, according to soil and elm
ate, from five to ten tons OF the most
nutritious fodder per acre, which IN
feeding value ranks with sorghum,
and it is greatly relished by all clyass-
es of stock, which prefer 1t to the
paspalIm 1t is known to nave pro-
duced up to ten tons of fodder per
acre in poor soil. 1t produces a large
quantity of seed which can be harv-
ested easily, and if necessary 1t can
be ploughed out without much
trouble Another great point IN It's
favor is that it will not, during any
stage of it's growth, faint dairy pro-
ducts, as paspalum does. occasionally
when it becomes too rank or Old
A writer in a North Queensland pa
per says: Much controversy seems
to be taking place at the present time
in reference to the respective merits
OF Rhodes and paspalum grasses, ana
which thriyes best in all seasons.