THKEE MUCH-MISREPRESENTED SORGHUMS. 5 



large and loose, usually conical, that is, broad at the base and pointed 

 at the top, like those of typical Early Amber sorgo. The long and 

 slender branches of the head are spreading and drooping at the tips. 

 Tliis group, comprising the variety roxhurghii, is separated easily 

 from all other groups of sorghums by the shape and position of the 

 glumes at nuiturity. The two glumes, or hulls, are broadly lance- 

 olate or ovate in shape and closely surround the young seed, as in all 

 sorghums. As the seed ripens, liowover, tliese glumes gradually 



Fig. 1.— Two heads of shallu. (One-fourUi iwiural hi/.u.) 



open or spread widely apart, completely exposing the seed. At the 

 same time the edges of each glume begin to curl inward and become 

 quite involute. In different varieties the glumes vary from pale 

 yellow to black and the seeds from white to buff, pale red, and red- 

 dish brown. 



Only one variety is found in this country. It grows from 5 to 8 

 feet high, according to elevation, soil, and moisture. It produces 

 from 2 to 5 suckers. The stems bear from 11 to 15 leaves of medium 

 size, 13 being the average number. Tlie heads are of the shape 



[Cir. 50] 



