Sept. 2, 1908.] AgrictUturcU Gazelle of N.S.iy. Ill 



In contrasting the special characteristics of the early lif(! of the maize 

 plant with that of sorghum, it is known that the young maize is much more 

 hardy and vigorous and less susceptible to extremes of temperature than 

 the young sorghum plant, whereas in the mature plant, sorghum is much 

 hardier, and will grow vigorously richt into the winter months. The maize 

 plant succumbs to the earliest frosts. 



Furthermore, sorghums are more drought-resistant, hence are useful at the 

 end of the summer. 



The sorghums are divided into two classes — non-saccharine and saccharine 

 or sugar-piMjducing. In the former class we have the Imphee and Kattir 

 varieties. 



Sorghum may readily lie placed second to maize as a forage crop. It can be 

 •cut twice, and occasionally a third time, in one season. 



Apart from its value as a green fodder, it is found a suitable plant, and 

 most economically handled for conservation as silage. Many farmers 

 practice cutting and stocking it for hay in the autumn. As such it is 

 chaffed in combination with oaten or wheaten hay and lucerne to form a 

 good winter ration. 



The crop in this district has been frequently found to give from 15 to 

 18 tons green feed to the acre. Assuming that the soil has been prepared 

 by thorough cultivation, and manured in a similar way to that for maize, it 

 will be advisable to sow plots for sorghum towards the end of the, month. 

 The Early Amber Cane and Planters' Friend sorts are found sHrtahle for the 

 Valley ; 7 to 10 lb. of seed U) the acre is sufficient. It is better to drill in 

 the seed in rows 3 feet apart. 



Coirpeas. — This season will be suitable to test the combination of cowpeas 

 with the crop. The trailing varieties of cowpeas are the best, such as Black, 

 Clay-coloured, and Whip-poor-Will. Black, so far, has turned out the best 

 results. A pea should be planted every 12 inches in the rows. 



In our warm climate we are unable to include clovers in the rota- 

 tion to renovate the soil and restore a special form of fertility, i.^., to 

 transfix atmospheric nitrogen ; but we have in cowjDeas the best sulistitute to 

 effect this, as well as provide a quickly-growing forage crop rich in protein, 

 the best class of muscle and red flesh forming ingredients. 



It must also be remembered that cowpeas will furnish a good crop on 

 much poorer soils than clover. The cowpea replaces clover with greater 

 advantage, seeing it is, in its richest condition, most palatable and succulent, 

 when other fodders — especially grasses — are dried out with the summer 

 heat. Cowpeas in their green stage furnish a food nearly equal to bran. For 

 all classes of domestic animals in the height of our hottest weather, cowpeas 

 will be found excellent food. If fed off with sheep or pigs, the ground is 

 manured sufficiently for the subsequent crops, especially cereals. It adds 

 nitrogen and humus. 



On light sandy soils cowpeas make vigorous growth. Where the soil has 

 been limed it certainly favours the growth of all leguminous crops, including 

 the cowpeas. 



