SORGHUM. 



Cultural Methods. 



i.;:, 



Time of Bowing. — Kaoliang can be sown earlier than the others, owing 

 to the fact that it is not nearly as sensitive to cold conditions. Feterita 

 must have fairly warm soil if a satisfactory stand is required. If it is 

 desired to sow the four varieties at one time, this can be done early in 

 October in the western and north-western districts, while on the Central 

 Slopes and Etiverina it would be better to wait until late in that month. 



Rates of Sowing. — lust the exact amount of seed to sow per acre in 

 different districts is still under investigation. Two factors must be con- 

 sidered, viz., (1) that the plants must not he too crowded in- semi-arid 

 districts if they are to gather sufficient moisture for their development ; and 

 (2) that by spicing too far apart in the rows, tillering is encouraged, which 

 results in irregularity in the ripening of the seed a distinct drawback as 

 Ear as harvesting is concerned. Tt has been noticed at Nyngan that any 



Manchu Kaoliang (Non-saccharine Sorghum) at Cunningham. 

 Yield of green fodder, (J tons 1 ewt. per acre. 



space of over 9 inches tends to produce tillering. At present 4 to 6 lb. of 

 seed per acre in rows 3 feet to 31 feet apart seems to give good results, and 

 for the time being this rate of seeding is recommended, though it is quite 

 possible that as a result of experiments this rate will be modified. Under 

 irrigation a heavier seeding can lie given. 



Cultivation. — Inter-row cultivation is absolutely essential. It serves two 

 purposes, viz., suppression of weed growth and improvement of the moisture- 

 holding capacity of the soil. Just as in maize-growing, good yields cannot 

 be expected if the cultivation is neglected. All the grain sorghums, with 

 the exception of Kaoliang, are very slow in their early stages of growth, 

 and can easily be smothered by weeds unless cultivation is carried out, which 

 should be deep at first, but less so as the crop grows, or the root system is 

 injured. 



