418 the farmers' handbook. 



Sorghum saccharatum has a head somewhat similar to Amber Cane — open 

 and spreading. The glumes (chaff) are jet black in colour, and encircle the 

 grain to a greater extent than in Amber Cane, and much more persistently 

 during and after threshing. Sorghum saccharatum is best adapted to a good 

 rainfall and warm conditions, Under such conditions it produces high 

 yields, but without plenty of moisture it is invariably inferier to the other 

 varieties, while in the dry interior, experiments show it to be practically 

 worthless. 



(2) Orange (/roup. — In this group the stalks are larger and heavier than in 

 the other groups, while the seed-heads are slightly more compact than those 

 of Amber Cane, being commonly about 3 inches wide and 5 to 7 inches long, 

 varying from an oblong outline to a fan-shaped, with the top of the panicle 

 loose and open. 



In all probability the new variety know commercially as Saccaline has 

 been derived from forms (such as the Collier type) of this group. This 

 sorghum was introduced from Victoria, and is undoubtedly an improved strain 

 of sweet sorghum. It has quickly jumped into favour, on both the North 

 and the South Coast, and remarkable yields (up to 20 tons per acre) have been 

 recorded. Its growth in warm weather is so rapid that it can be recommended 

 for cleaning up old paspalam pastures. Saccaline is particularly charac- 

 terised by sweetness and palatabiiity and by its ratooning (stooling) habits. 

 Ratooning takes place after each cut, and thus many good cuttings may be 

 obtained in a single season. 



In appearance the growth of Saccaline closely resembles that of the 

 Planter's Friend type, but it shows a more vigorous leaf growth. The seed- 

 head, however, differs from all the other types in being semi-compact in shape 

 and of a brick-red colour. The grain projects almost entirely from the 

 glumes, which are very small, but, as in the other types, black in colour. 

 Under the influence of weathering the grain generally takes on the mottled 

 appearance seen in Planter seed. 



(3) The Sumac, or Red T<>/> group. — This group is well represented in New 

 South Wales by Planter's Friend, one of the Imphee types originally derived 

 from South Africa. This is a stout variety, with large, broad leaves, and 

 the seed heads are thick, cylindrical and erect, 6 to 9 inches long. The 

 side branches are very short and full of seed, which is brown or brownish- 

 red in colour. The glumes are small, much shorter than the seed, hairy and 

 varying from deep red to black in colour. Usually, most of the glumes are 

 separated during the process of threshing. 



Planter's Friend is about live weeks later than Early Amber Cane, and is 

 a favourite variety for autumn or winter feed. When it reaches maturity 

 it is not so easily affected by frosts as some other varieties, and retains 

 its succulence for some time. After some growth has been made, it 

 develops astonishing powers of withstanding drought, and may lie dormant 

 for two or three months during a dry period, to recover wonderfully when 

 rain falls. 



In experiments carried out in coastal districts this variety generally 

 yields higher than Amber Care or Sorghum saccharatum. 



(4) Tlie Goose-neck group. — As far as is known, this group is not repre- 

 sented in New South Wales amongst the sweet sorghums. 



