Jan. 2, 1920.1 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 17 



Grain Sorghums in Northern Districts. 



R. VV. McDIARMID, Inspector of Agriculture. 



Plots of the gi'ain sorghums were sown by two farmers in conjunction with 

 the Department during last season : — 



J. T. Maunder, Pallamallawa. 



J. F. Chick, Tenterfield. 



The varieties sown were Milo, Feterita and Kaoliang, with Early Amber 

 Cane at Pallamallawa and Planter's Friend at Tenterfield to enable com- 

 parisons to be made with the fodder sorghums. The plots at Pallamallawa 

 were sown on 23rd September and those at Tenterfield on 20th November. 



The Pallamallawa plots had to be utilised for grazing purposes owing to 

 the great scarcity of green feed and the fact of their being located in a large 

 cultivation paddock. The seed was sown in drills 3 feet apart, using 4^ lb. 

 per acre and no manure. The growth was very satisfactory, and even after 

 being fed off several successive growths were made ; in fact, good feed was 

 obtained from the plots right up until winter time. The object of the experi- 

 ment (the production of grain) was thus missed, but the drought resistance 

 and suitability of the plants for grazing purposes in the dry districts were 

 plainly demonstrated. Their hardiness and the small cost for seed per acre 

 should justify more extensive sowings in the dry districts and help to fill a 

 long-felt want. They were readily eaten by the stock (chiefly sheep), and 

 no ill etfects were noticed. Care should be exercised in grazing stock on 

 these sorghums, however, for though cases of poisoning are rare and none has 

 occurred in this State, instances have been recorded in the United States of 

 America. 



The Tenterfield plots were utilised for green feed when in head, but a 

 portion of each plot was reserved for grain. In both respects the results 

 were highly satisfactory. Cattle, pigs and working horses all ate it readily, 

 especially the Milo and Feterita, and thrived well on the fodder. The pigs 

 preferi-ed the heads, while the horses and cattle ate the complete plant. For 

 green feed. Planter's Friend gave a much heavier bulk than any of the grain 

 sorghums. After harvesting the grain the cattle were turned into the 

 paddock, and they cleaned up the remaining stacks of Milo and Feterita, but 

 not so readil}' the Kaoliang. The yields per acre of grain were estimated in 

 May to be about 40 bushels per acre, but suitable methods of harvesting and 

 threshing were not at hand and the weather was unfavouiable, consequently 

 a considerable amount of seed was lost. The amounts actually tlii'eshed per 

 acre were : — 



Kaoliang 28 bushels per acre. 



Feterita .. ... ... ... 17 ,, ,, 



Milo 12 



