654 Grasses and Leguminous Crops in New York 



different groups or varieties are gi'own in close proximity to each 

 other sets at naught all such work. The commonly cultivated 

 varieties may be placed in groups that are fairly distinct, but 

 when all the available fonns are brought together, these groups are 

 found to overlap or merge into each other through a multitude 

 of intermediate forms. In the following discussion only the well- 

 known varieties are considered and these are treated under their 

 customary classes, which are sorgo or sweet sorghum, kaiir, milo, 

 durra, kaoliang, broom corn, and grass sorghum. 



sorgo or sweet sorghum 



This group described in many publications as the saccharine 

 or sweet sorghums, is usually referred to by farmers as " cane," 

 a term that has been applied to the sugar canes of the tropics for 

 many years. In the southern states, where the sweet sorghums 

 and the sugar cane are both commonly grown, the application 

 of the term '' cane " to both crops leads to confusion. " Sorgo " 

 has, therefore, been suggested as a class name for the sweet 

 sorghums. 



The sorgos are characterized by their sweet, juicy stems, which 

 fit them primarily for forage and sirup purposes. The seeds in 

 this group have considerable tannin, a property which lessens their 

 feeding value. 



Black Amber 



This variety seems to have originated in China. It was brought 

 to the United States from France under the name " Chinese 

 sorghum." It is characterized by its tall stems; rather narrow 

 leaves; loose, pyramidal head; and large, flattened, reddish-yellow 

 seeds, which are almost covered by the black, shiny glumes. Black 

 Amber sorgo is found on the market under the names Minnesota 

 Amber, Earlv Amber, and Dakota Amber. These are distinct 

 strains which have been developed from the original Black Amber 

 or Chinese sorghum by selection principally for earliness. 



Minnesota Amber, the best known of these strains, matures in 

 from 75 to 90 days, and is adapted to the northern states, being- 

 one of the safest varieties to plant in New York. 



