232 



SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



All kinds grow slowly during the first few weeks of life, 

 at which time they are easily overrun by weeds ; therefore 

 they make their best growth on clean land. 



210. Effects on the soil. The sorghums are generally 

 regarded as the most exhaustive among the ordinary crops 

 of the farm. They leave the land in an unfavorable 

 mechanical condition, which is due chiefly to the following 

 causes : 



(1) The presence of clods held together by the matted 

 roots of the stubble ; 



(2) The slowness with which the stubble and other re- 

 mains of the crop decay ; 



(3) The dry condition in which the soil is left, due to the 

 large amount of leaf surface engaged, up to the time of har- 

 vest, in throwing off moisture derived from the soil. 



211. Composition. In all classes of sorghum, the stems 

 and leaves, which are the parts used for green or cured forage, 

 are rich in carbohydrates (starch and sugar), and poor in 

 protein. Likewise, the seeds of all sorghums are rich in 

 carbohydrates and slightly richer than corn in protein. 



Composition of Forage and Seed of Various Sorghums 



