EXERCISE 49 



JUDGING GRAIN SORGHUMS 



Fig. 59 Sectional view of a 

 high-yielding Kafir head with 

 long main stem and large seed- 

 bearing capacity 



them. 



Fig. 60. Sectional view of the in- 

 terior of a low-yielding Kafir head 

 with short main stem and light- 

 yielding seed-bearing stems 



Statement. Sorghums are similar to corn in many respects, each producing an abundance of both 

 grain and forage. Sorghums are especially valuable in their ability to withstand severe droughts, 



thus being enabled to grow in the semiarid regions of the United States. 

 A knowledge of what constitutes a good head of sorghum for seed is im- 

 portant and is the first step in successful 

 sorghum production. 



Object. To judge standard varieties of 

 grain sorghums. 



Materials. Samples to be scored and 

 descriptive sheet on the following page. 



Directions, i . Arrange an exhibit of ten 

 heads. Score one head at a time while 

 learning to use the score card. Beginning 

 with head No. i, estimate the score that 

 should be given for each point. When judg- 

 ing single heads, the score for uniformity will 

 be based on the degree to which the head 

 conforms to the most common type in the 

 exhibit and the type of the variety it rep- 

 resents. Repeat the estimate for each of the 

 ten heads and find the average score for 

 Compactness of the head is an important consideration. To determine this quality cut away 



the branches on two sides of the head as shown in the illustrations 



and note carefully the length of the main stem and the seed-bearing 



stems, and how thickly and uniformly the seeds 



are set on. 



2. After scoring single heads each member of 



the class should arrange a ten-head exhibit. Then 



the entire display should be judged by each pupil, 



using the ten-head exhibit as a unit. Total the 



values and rank the exhibits. 



Questions. What are sorghums that have an 



abundance of sweet juice called? Name some 



varieties of sorghum that do not contain sweet 



juice. In your community is sorghum grown for 



sirup, for grain, for forage, or for the brush? Why 



are sorghums grown in preference to corn in parts 



of the semiarid regions of the Great Plains area? 

 What is the average yield of grain of the varieties of sorghums produced 

 in your community? 



References. Waters, H.J. Essentials of Agriculture, pp. 223-228. Ginnand 

 Company. Bqrman, T. A. Sorghums. The Kansas Farmer Company, Topeka. 

 Montgomery, E. G. The Corn Crops, pp. 279-328. The Macmillan Company. 

 Livingston, G. Field Crop Production, pp. 228-239. The Macmillan Company. 



98 



Fig. 61. The interior of a 



dwarf Milo head of desirable 



form 



Fig. 62. Interior of a good 



head of Feterita 



All photographs on this page from 



" Sorghums : Sure-money Crop," 



Kansas Farmer, Topeka 





