CHAPTER IV. 



THE NON-SACCHARINE SORGHUMS. 



The chief of the non-saccharine sorghums are 

 Kaffir corn, Milo maize, dhourra and Jerusalem 

 corn. Teosinte, properly speaking, is not a sorghum, 

 but it will be included in the discussion of the non- 

 saccharine sorghums because of the similarity in the 

 methods of cultivation and in the uses for which it 

 is grown. Of these plants, Kaffir corn is the best 

 known and the most extensively cultivated, but it 

 would be premature to reach the conclusion that 

 because of this it is the most valuable. It has been 

 cultivated apparently in the United States for a 

 longer period than the other non-saccharine sor- 

 ghums. Milo maize in some of its varieties is likely 

 to make a strong competitor to Kaffir corn. 



These plants are all of comparatively recent 

 introduction into the United States. At least no 

 one of them has been extensively grown in the same 

 until within a comparatively recent period. They 

 are but little known,, therefore, to any considerable 

 number of the agriculturists of the country. It will 

 be in order, therefore, to give a short description of 

 each and also to make some reference to the distinc- 

 tive peculiarities of growth. 



Kaffir corn (Sorghum vulgare) is a sturdy 

 growing plant. The stem is thick at the base, taper- 

 ing toward the top and usually grows to the hight of 



5' 



