SORGHUM. 153 



surface la dry and the Lower ground moist, as the see I < * * 1 1 be placed where it 

 will germinate. It is sown on the flat by using a corn-dropper <n- (for large 

 area?) a wheat drill with some of the holes closed so that the rows are made 

 the proper distance apart. 'The best distance is aboul 3 feel (or every fifth 



drill). For coastal districts 6 to * lb. of seed are rec ended, bul for the 



interior, where less moisture is available for the plants, only 1 or 5 Hi. per 

 acre are required. 



Cultivation. 



The young plants take from live days toafortnight to appear, according 



to the condition of the soil and the variety. Whilst young the plants are 

 tender and susceptible to illtreat ment , and whatever cultivation is given must 

 he done carefully. A very narrow- toothed cultivator is useful, as it will not 

 smother the young plants with soil. After a fortnight or three weeks, 

 however, the plants become hardy, and commence to grow rapidly. 

 Cultivation must he consistently carried out from this time until the crop is 

 almost at the flowering stage, with the double object of conserving moisture 

 and of destroying weeds. The frequency depends upon the weather, but 

 usually it is needed about once a month. Moisture is rapidly lost by 

 evaporation when a crust forms on the surface of the soil, and this must be 

 prevented by cultivation. Eveiy fall of rain creates this crust, and culti- 

 vation should therefore be given after every shower. Careful cultivation 

 enables a crop to be grown under dry conditions, as a greater proportion of 

 the soil moisture is effectively used in leaf and stem production. 



In addition to checking loss of soil moisture, cultivation prevents the 

 growth of w T ceds. These are of no value to the farmer, and lessen his profits 

 by preventing the proper growth of the crop. They exhaust the moisture in 

 the soil and deplete its fertility, robbing the rightful crop. When weeds 

 become well rooted, it is almost impossible to deal with them, but if attacked 

 at the right time they arc comparatively easily destroyed. The best time to 

 kill them is when the seed has just germinated. Timely cultivations do this 

 by disturbing them in their beds, so that even if it is not necessaiy to 

 cultivate to conserve moisture it should be done, as often as required, to 

 prevent the weeds getting a foothold. 



Several kinds of implements suitable for cultivating sorghums are avail- 

 able. On small areas the one-horse cultivators are quite satisfactory, but 

 where large areas are sown a two-horse implement is preferable, owing to the 

 rapidity and cheapness with which the work is done. It straddles the rows, 

 and can be used until the plants are 3 to 4 feet high. After this, cultivation 

 is rarely needed, as the plants protect the soil sufficiently, but should it be 

 required, a single-horse cultivator must be used. 



Many of the sorghum roots exist near the surface, and cultivation must be 

 fairly shallow', to avoid injuring them. Generally, about 3 inches is deep 

 enough to be effective, and little harm is done to the roots. It is important 

 that the cultivation be carried out from the commencement of growth. It 

 encourages deep rooting, and no injury will be done by cultivating imple- 

 ments, but if the crop is allowed to grow for a couple of months without 

 cultivation, and it is then given, the crop will be seriously injured. The roots 

 will have formed in the surface soil; and the severance of them by the 

 cultivator tines robs the crop of a large source of supply of plant-food and 

 moisture. 



