TYPES OF GRAIN SORGHUMS 245 



discussed under the heading of forage crops (Section 412). As 

 the culture and requirements of broomcorn are quite similar 

 to those of the grain sorghums, that crop is considered in 

 this chapter. 



308. The Types of Grain Sorghums. The grain sorghums 

 usually grown in the United States are of two general types, 

 kafir (kafir corn) and niilo (milo maize). Four other types, 

 known as durra, feterita, shallu, and kaoliang, are occasionally 

 grown. The kafirs differ from the other grain sorghums in 

 that the pith is slightly juicy, the peduncles are always 

 erect, and the panicles cylindrical. The seeds are white, 

 pink, or red. The milos are less leafy than the kafirs, the 

 heads are ovate, and the peduncles are usually bent so that 

 the heads turn downward. The seeds are slightly flattened 

 and are usually yellowish-brown in color. The ordinary 

 type is the yellow milo. The durras are quite similar to the 

 milos, but the pith is always dry and the seeds are decidedly 

 flattened. The seed is white or reddish brown in color. 

 Feterita is an early maturing grain sorghum similar to durra, 

 which has recently become quite popular in some sections 

 of Kansas. The kaoliangs and shallu are recently introduced 

 types and are as yet of little importance. 



309. Importance of the Sorghums. The grain sorghums 

 are largely grown in India, the warmer portions of China, 

 and Africa. In the United States, they are almost entirely 

 confined to the Great Plains area, the country lying between 

 the 98th meridian and the Rocky Mountains. In western 

 Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, they are important 

 crops. Only the earliest maturing varieties can be grown as 

 far north as South Dakota, or at the ordinary elevations in 

 New Mexico and Colorado. Sorghums are grown to some 

 extent in the interior valleys of California, the type most 

 common there being white durra, locally known as Egyptian 

 corn. The value of the grain sorghum lies in its ability to 

 resist drought and to mature a crop of grain with little rain- 



