26 



J J 



States, where also sugar and syrup is obtained (see S. tacchara- 



tum), the use for forage appears to come first. The grain in 

 this country is better known as " Dari " or " Derry Corn, 



used for feeding poultry. The imports in 1913 amounted to 

 389,844 centals, chiefly from United States, Turkey in Asia, 

 British India and Egypt. In other years substantial supplies 

 have also come from Java, Persia, Japan, Cape of Good Hope, 

 East Africa Protectorate and Natal. As forage the plants in 

 countries which admit of full development may be used cut green, 

 as hay, as ensilage or as pasture, and though the roughage at 

 harvest time from all the varieties may have a secondary use 

 as forage, the sweet-stemmed kinds (see S. Caffrorum and S. 

 saccharatum) are usually preferred for this purpose. In England 

 during the past few years experiments made in Essex go to show 

 that Sorghum may prove a useful addition to the forage crops 

 in the warmer parts. It is recommended to be cut green and fed 

 in the same way as "Maize" (Zea Mays), valuable for dairy 

 cows in late summer when the pastures begin to fail (Journ. Bd. 

 Agric. seq.). Some uncertainty attaches to the genus as a fodder, 

 and cases of poisoning have been recorded when pastured or used 

 in a green state. There seems to be considerable difference of 

 opinion as to the exact stage at which there is danger of poisoning ; 

 but it is generally conceded that the green plant is not safe for 

 feeding until it is at or near the "flowering period. 



1. 1897, "Sorghum Sugar/' pp. 173-174. 



2. May, 1915, "Sorghum/' pp. 155-166. 

 3a. No. 53, 1916. "Sorghum for Fodder." 



Sorghum sudanense, Stapf {Andropogon Sorghum, var. sudan- 



ensis, Piper); Sudan Grass. 



Annual, with slender stems, 6 to 10 ft. high, native of the 

 Sudan in the region of the Nile. Cultivated in Egypt and the 

 United States for forage — suitable for hay and pasture and as 

 a soiling crop — for which purpose it is better adapted than the 

 Grain Sorghums. The plant suits dry regions better than 

 "Johnson Grass" (see S. halepense), and comes to maturity 

 quickly — about 3 months. The young plants are stated to with- 

 stand slight frosts without injury, the northern limit for 

 maturity being estimated at about 49° (Piper), and it is 

 suggested here that this would be the best sorghum with which 

 to experiment in England. There appears to be no record 

 available as to the poisonous effects of the young green plant 

 on stock; but it would bo advisable to exercise the same care 

 as recommended above. 



Amphilophis pertusa, Stapf (Andropogon pertusvs, Willd.) ; 



Sour Grass. 



Perennial, 1| to 2 ft. Tropical Africa and found also in 

 Arabia, Afghanistan, India and Cevlon; introduced to 



* See " Cyanogenesis in Plants," part 2 "Great Millet " (Sorghum viilgare), 

 Danstan and Henry in Trans. Royal Soc. cxc. 1902, p. 399. and Proc. Roy. 

 Soc. Ixx. 1902. pp. 153-154, and "Tire Poisonous Properties of Imraatur* 

 Sorghum" in Bull. Imp. Inst. 1910, pp. 384-388. 



