114 SORGHUM. 



for the planter, the land is thrown up into ridges and the seed planted 

 upon these. This method is especially adapted to a wet, backward 

 season. On the other hand, in Southern Kansas, where there is a lack 

 of sufficient moisture, the opposite system, known as " listing," is said 

 to give excellent results with both sorghum and maize. In this method, 

 by means of the listing plow (sub -soil), furrows are laid in the field 

 and the seed is planted in these, where is found moist earth, and where 

 the roots, going deeper, are able to reach the necessary supply of 

 moisture. 



SELECTION AND PREPARATION OF SEED. 



The first thing to be considered in the production of a croj) of sor- 

 ghum, is the selection of that variety which has been found, by actual 

 and continued experience, to be suited to the particular locality where 

 the crop is to be grown. 



Since, practically, there is no difference in the demands upon the 

 soil which one variety makes as compared with another, the main thiug 

 is to select that variety which in the given locality will mature long 

 enough bef )re frost occurs to enable the crop to be worked up. 



By consulting the tables on pages 121 and 122, it will be seen that 

 the period from planting to maturity varies with the different varieties 

 from 90 to 170 days, and that between these limits all those cultivated 

 will mature their seed. 



The farmer generally has a choice of several varieties, all sufficiently 

 early for his climate and locality ; and, in such case, it is desirable to 

 make actual test of several, in order to learn which he had best 

 adopt. 



Owing to exposure, the crop may be liable to be prostrated by heavy 

 winds, in which- case those varieties best able to withstand such storms 

 are much to be preferred. A short, heavy stalk, with a relatively 

 small panicle, is then to be chosen, and reference to the table upon page 

 74 will be a guide in such selection. 



More frequently it may happen that, owing to the length of season 

 in certain localities, several varieties may be planted, which, by reach- 

 ing maturity in succession, will enable the farmer not only to secure 

 his crop of seed from, each, but to prolong his season for working up 

 the crop for sugar, having each crop ready for the mill when it has 

 reached its best condition. For example, one might select the follow- 

 ing varieties: Early Amber, Link's Hybrid, Early Orange, Liberiau, 

 and Honduras, the number of days required from planting to matur- 

 ity being, respectively, 90, 105, 116, 130, and 140; or, for the Early 

 Amber, the White Liberian, and for the Early Orange, the White 



