39© THE CEREALS IN AMERICA 



or silage, then one grain every three inches would be the best 

 for the production of sorghum fodder or silage. Since the Kafir 

 varieties of sorghum do not grow as tall as maize, the rows may 

 be closer together ; three feet being often recommended where 

 the rows of maize are usually planted three feet eight inches 

 apart. Experiments, however, do not show that any greater 

 yields of grain or roughage can be obtained by having the rows 

 closer together, provided the same number of plants are raised 

 per acre. Standard varieties of broom corn are planted at the 

 rate of one plant every three inches in rows three feet six inches 

 or three feet eight inches apart ; and dwarf varieties are planted 

 with plants two inches apart in rovvs three feet apart. The 

 quality of the broom may be affected by the rate of planting ; 

 the thicker the planting, the finer the brush. Sorghum may be 

 drilled or planted in hills ; the former being the more common 

 method. When the latter method is followed the hills are about 

 eighteen inches apart in the rows. There are no experiments to 

 show that the yield is greater in one case than in the other. 



550. Quantity of Seed. — The quantity of seed per acre used 

 in practice is quite variable because of the variety of purposes 

 for which it is raised, different methods of handling, difference 

 in size of seed and liability of low germination. Three to four 

 pounds of good seed are sufficient to plant an acre of broom 

 corn. Where Kafir varieties are grown for grain alone five to 

 six pounds of seed are used and twice this amount where fodder 

 is also wanted. Where sweet sorghum is grown for forage 

 fifteen to thirty pounds planted in rows and cultivated produce 

 a palatable product, and is usually the most satisfactory method 

 of handling the crop. When sown broadcast or drilled, as in 

 the case of wheat, to be mown and treated as hay, as high as 

 100 pounds of seed per acre are used. There is no evidence to 

 show that this method produces greater yields, but it is preferred 

 by some on account of the method of handling the crop, and 

 because of its better keeping quality. Where the canes of sweet 



