660 Grasses and Leguminous Crops in New York 



kafir, and the seeds are brownish red on the exposed portion, giv- 

 ing the heads a red appearance. The glumes or hulls are a dull, 

 yellowish gray and cover not more than one-fourth to one-third of 

 the seed. Red kafir matures eight to twelve days earlier than 

 Blackhull, and is usually a little taller. It is considered by some 

 to be more drought-resistant, although there is very little difference 

 in this respect. 



WJiite 

 Some writers call this variety Whitehull to indicate more exactly 

 its relation to Blackliull kafir. The stem and leaf characters are 

 similar to those of Blackhull and the seeds are almost identical 

 in appearance, but the glumes are greenish gray instead of black. 

 The chief weakness of White kafir is the failure of the head to 

 free itself entirely from the boot, or last leaf sheath. Remaining 

 thus enclosed by the boot, the base of the head is often moldy and it 

 also provides a breeding place for the green aphis. It is a trifle 

 earlier in maturity than Blackhull kafir. 



Pink 



This variety perhaps originated as a cross between the Red and 

 Blackhull kafir or between the Red and White varieties. It was 

 only recently introduced from South Africa. Although in plat 

 tests it usually outyields the other varieties, still, the difference 

 in this respect is so slight that the Pink kafir is not likely to replace 

 the better-known sorts. In habit of growth it is somewhat more 

 vigorous than the Blackhull and the head is larger 'and looser, 

 especially at the upper end. The seeds are of a delicate pink 

 color and the glumes are dull, greenish gray like those of the White 

 kafir. In date of maturity it is as late or later than the Blackhull. 



Dwarf 



This variety originated as a selection from Blackhull and is 

 identical with that variety in all characters except its smaller size 

 and its shorter season of maturity. It usually matures at a height 

 of from 3!/^ to 4 feet, and is almost two weeks earlier than the 

 parent variety. For New York conditions. Dwarf kafir is prefer- 

 able to any of the other varieties. 



