KAFIR CORN 159 



dinary stover, but is not so palatable. When 

 grown for hay kafir corn is seeded broadcast and 

 if the crop is cut when the grain 'is in a dough stage 

 a great deal of forage will be obtained. When the 

 kafir corn crop is cut, if this be done early in the 

 season, a second crop frequently grows up and not 

 infrequently this second crop can be used for pas- 

 ture. Considerable damage to live stock has re- 

 sulted from pasturing the second crop. Bloat is 

 not uncommon and often the animals die with all 

 the symptoms of acute poisoning. The real rea- 

 son for this is not known. 



The crop is adapted to all soils, but it fancies 

 most the rich corn lands. It will do better in poor 

 soils, however, than ordinary corn. If a sudden 

 drouth comes on when other corn is completely 

 killed kafir corn will curl up its leaves and cease 

 to grow, but still hold life. With the first rain it 

 begins to grow again just as if its life had not been 

 threatened at all. If the stalks are cut and subse- 

 quent rains come, a second and often a third crop 

 are possible. 



In preparing for kafir corn, go about it just as 

 you would for corn. A good seed bed is very 

 desirable. When seeded in rows, about 7 pounds 

 to the acre are sufficient. The rows should be 3 feet 

 apart and the grains distributed from 4 to 6 inches 

 in the row. If seeded broadcast for hay, use from 

 i to 2 bushels to the acre. The grain drill is used 

 very largely for seeding purposes. The custom 

 is to close the second, third and fourth feeds, leav- 

 ing the first and fifth feeds open. It is advisable to 

 test the adjustment out before beginning to plant in 

 the field. Since kafir corn is a warm weather plant, 

 the planting season is usually after the regular corn 



