656 Grasses and Leguminous Ceops in New York 



Dakota Amber is even earlier than the preceding variety. It 

 is dwarf, seldom attaining a height of more tliau five or six feet, 

 and is of especial value in the northern Great Plains. 



Red Amber 



This variety was introduced in the United States in 1903 from 

 Australia, where it is called " Early Orange." It is characterized 

 by slender stems, numerous leaves, and medium loose head about 

 intermediate in compactness between that of the Black Amber 

 and the Orange varieties. The seeds resemble those of Black 

 Amber in size and color, but are somewhat narrower. The glumes, 

 which are dark red, nearly cover the seed, giving the head a red 

 color. This variety is a trifle later than Minnesota Amber, requir- 

 ing from 80 to 100 days for maturity. It yields well and makes 

 an excellent quality of fodder. (Fig. 6-17.) Red Amber can be 

 recommended for planting in l^ew York along with Minnesota 

 Amber and Orange, but seed of that variety is difficult to obtain. 



Orange 



Orange sorgo was one of the forms introduced from Natal, 

 South Africa, in 1857. It has a stout stem and rather broad 

 leaves, but is not so leafy as Sumac sorgo. The heads are more 

 compact than those of the Black or Red Amber varieties, and 

 reddish brown in color. The seeds are large and flattened like 

 those of the Black Amber, but protrude much farther from the 

 glumes, which vary in color* from reddish brown to black. Orange 

 sorgo requires about the same or a little longer season for maturity 

 than Red Amber, being from one to two weeks later than Minne- 

 sota Amber. It is a good fodder variety and can be matured in 

 New York in the average season, but will sometimes be caught 

 bv frost. 



Sumac 



This variety, which is often called Redtop, was also introduced 

 from Natal, South Africa, in 1857. It is one of the sweetest and 

 leafiest of the sorgos and is more uniform than most other varieties, 

 varying little in appearance from year to year. The stem is 

 rather stout, of medium height, and very leafy, bearing from four- 

 teen to> sixteen leaves. The head is very compact, stiffly erect, 



