S0RGH1 \i. 



459 



Manchu Kaoliang is probably one of the oldest grain sorghums grown : 

 nevertheless its introduction into European Countries is quite recent. A 

 very complete description of this variety was written by Carleton Ball, the 

 American agronomist, in 1913, and much of the following has been culled 

 from his bulletin. 



The Kaoliangs, Ball says, comprise a group of grain-producing sorghums 

 only recently introduced into cultivation. They are native to Eastern Asia, 

 and arc the only sorghums found there. The Chinese name is " Kaoliang," 

 meaning literally tall millet, and pronounced " kowliang." Among the names 

 applied to this sorghum by Europeans in the East arc Tall Millet, Great 

 Millet, Large Millet, Giant Millet, False Millet, and Barbados Millet, It 

 is probable that this group of sorghums was originally brought from China 

 into Tndia ; but this introduction took place many centuries ago, and the 

 forms as we find them to-day in China and Manchuria probably vary con- 

 siderably from the original importations. 



Kaoliang sorghum is probably the principal crop grown in Manchuria, but 

 it is also cultivated largely throughout China, and, to a small extent, in 

 Japan. In Manchuria every part of the plant is utilised — the seeds for 

 -rain and wine, the stalks for fuel, laths, fences, baskets, &c., the leaves for 

 fodder, and even the roots are used for fuel. In Japan, Kaoliang is princi- 

 pally grown as a windbreak. 



The official introduction of Kaoliangs into America commenced in 1898, 

 and many varieties have been tested. Of all the types, Manchu Brown 

 Kaoliang appears to have given the best results, and it was this type which 

 was imported into New South Wales. 



Classification of the Grain Sorghums. 



The four grain sorghums at present growing in this State may be dis- 

 tinguished from each other in accordance with the following table : — 



