2l6 FARM CROPS 



time is over. It is absolutely necessary to keep 

 all the weeds out of the corn, otherwise the 

 young shoots will be quickly smothered by the 

 quicker, ranker, more virile weeds. Similar cul- 

 tivation should be given sorghum as given to 

 Indian corn. Shallow culture is to be com- 

 mended. Sorghum for molasses is stripped of its 

 leaves before maturity and the heads are cut off 

 by hand. The stalks are then tied in bundles 6 or 

 8 inches in diameter and either taken to the mill or 

 stored until convenient to do this. Cold weather 

 is injurious to the cane and for that reason it should 

 be got out of the way before frost comes on. 



Sorghum for Forage. For forage purposes the 

 sorghum plant grows in popularity and its dominion 

 is gradually being extended. In the drier portions 

 of the country a small acreage is usually given to 

 it on many farms. It is sown broadcast, I to 2 

 bushels of seed being used to the acre. The seed 

 may be harrowed or disked into the soil. Cowpeas 

 are frequently put in the mixture, from J/2 to I 

 bushel of seed being used. A better balanced 

 ration is secured in this \vay. Sorghum helps to 

 hold up the cowpeas and a very heavy mowing is 

 obtained. Sorghum draws from the soil great quan- 

 tities of water. When grown one year the succeed- 

 ing year the soil often shows less growth in what- 

 ever crop is grown than similar lands show. This 

 indicates that "the sorghum plant has great ability 

 to get the small pickings out of the land. 



It is not advisable, therefore, to follow sorghum 

 with corn or a rank growing crop. Grass, cowpeas 

 or the less greedy plants should be employed. In 

 planting sorghum it is necessary to have the land 

 free from weeds. If the land is weedy the sorghum 



