262 THE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FARM. 



very much upon the latitude, aud requires special 

 study in each case. 



Improvement of sorghum by planting the seed of 

 canes showing a high content of cane sugar is being 

 attempted by the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture with hopeful prospects. The process is easy. 

 There are two obvious difficulties, viz : (1) The variabil- 

 ity of the sugar content apart from variety, and (2) the 

 fact that the seed has been produced by cross -fertili- 

 zation with pollen of an unknown plant. Here as else- 

 where, the more highly bred the plants are, the less 

 injury from the second source. 



Climate, — Sorghum will, grow anywhere where 

 Indian corn will grow, but is better adapted to the 

 warmer and dryer parts of the United States. The 

 area for the production of sugar is restricted. Where 

 the season is short the plant does* not ripen sugar but 

 will produce molasses. Sufficient time must elapse 

 after the cane is ripe to allow it to be worked. The 

 climate of Kansas and the Indian Territory is be- 

 lieved to be particularly favorable to the growth of 

 sorghum as a sugar plant. 



It stands drouth rather better than Indian corn. 

 For this reason it is used in .some localities for fodder 

 in place of Indian corn. Experience teaches that the 

 fodder is inferior to the latter. 



Culture. — The soil and culture adapted to sor- 

 ghum is similar to that of Indian corn. It grows 

 slowly during the early part of its growth. Hence 

 the necessity of a well prepared seed-bed. 



Planting should be delayed until the soil and at- 

 mosphere is fairly warm, say ten days later than corn. 

 It is usually plantedin drills with the drill rows the 



