460 



THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



Where confusion may arise. — In Kafir and Feterita the seeds are whitish 

 in tint. In Kafir, however, the leaf growth is very abundant, the heads are 

 generally long, the seed is small, and the plant retains its sap right to 

 maturity. Tn Feterita the heads are much more compact, and the stems 

 become slightly pithy as the plant reaches maturity. The seed also is much 

 larger, not so round in shape as Kafir, with a bluish tint, and generally 

 marked with irregular, concentric lines. 



In Milo and Kaoliang the seeds are somewhat alike in colour, both being 

 of a brownish tint, but that is as far as the resemblance goes. The plants of 

 Kaoliang are taller and contain much more pith than the Milo, while the 

 heads of the latter are much more compact, and the seeds far heavier than 

 those of Kaoliang. The black hull of the Kaoliang seed, too, is \ery 

 characteristic. 



Feterita at Nyngan Experiment Farm. 



Manchu Kaoliang can often be confused with Planter's Friend, as far as 

 outward appearances are concerned. The distinction, of course, is made 

 clear by the saccharine sap of Planter's Friend and the non-saccharine 

 pithy character of Kaoliang. The seeds of Kaoliang also separate much 

 more easily from the hull than do the seeds of the other. 



Results of Experiments in New South Wales. 



Kafir. — Although Kafir has in the past been the principal grain sorghum 

 grown in this State, few data were available as to yield and habits of 

 growth until comprehensive experiments were conducted by the Depart- 

 ment, commencing some years ago. It lias been tried at Hawkesbury Agri- 

 cultural College, and at Cowra, Yanco, Nyngan, and Wagga Experiment 

 Firms. It stands out prominently amongst the grain sorghums for its 

 very leafy growth, and more succulent appearance in general. The seed 

 germinates very satisfactorily under moist conditions ; but the growth is 

 comparatively slow throughout the growing period, and in this respect it 



