664: Grasses and Leguminous Crops in New York 



respectively tall, medium, and low-growing varieties. The culture 

 of broom corn is the same as tliat of sorghum. The harvesting or 

 topping is usually done by hand, but in some cases with machin- 

 ery. Thrashing or cleaning of the straw is accomplished by means 

 of special machines, after which the biiish or broom straw is 

 baled and sold to broom manufacturers. After topping, the stalks 

 furnish considerable pasture. 



GRASS SORGHUMS 



The only member of this group of sorghums that is now import- 

 ant in the United States is Sudan grass. This new field crop was 



introduced into the 

 United States from Su- 

 dan, Africa, in 1909, 

 aud very few other 

 p 1 a n t introductions 

 have sprung into such 

 instant popularity. It 

 is of most importance 

 in the southern states, 

 but can be grown suc- 

 eessfullv as far north 

 as central New York. 



Sudan grass resem- 

 bles very closely the 

 Johnson gi^^asa that is 

 so abundant in the 

 southern states, but 

 does not have the un- 

 derground rootstocks of 

 the latter plant. (Fig. 

 049.) It grows to a 

 height of six to ten feet 

 in cultivated rows, but 

 when broadcast thickly 

 it is usually not more than four or five feet high and can be 

 handled like any other hay plant, except that it is quite succulent 

 and when cut for hay more time is required for curing it than for 



Fig. 649. Hoot of Sudax Grass Showing 

 THE Entire Aksence of Rootstocks. 



