224 IRRIGATION FARMING. 



which will insure a rapid growth of suckers from the 

 root of the plant. It will throw up a mass of new 

 growth, which will not mature grain, but which will 

 make from two to four tons of fine forage to the acre. 

 Kindred crops such as Jerusalem com, Kafir corn, 

 sorghum, dhourra, Milo maize, imphees, teosinte, and 

 other non-saccharine forage crops which have become 

 quite popular of late years in the arid region, may be 

 irrigated and cultivated substantially the same as 

 Egyptian corn. When sorghum is grown for syrup 

 it needs a good deal of irrigation up to a certain point 

 — that is, when it has commenced its adlive growth, 

 after which water should be applied sparingly ; other- 

 wise the sap will be diluted and impaired in quality. 

 No water should be given within a month of cutting. 

 Broom corn needs but little water if the cultivation is 

 conscientiously done. At the time of the heading out 

 of the panicle, however, water should be given plenti- 

 fully to force a good growth of brush and produce a 

 smooth, long, and straight fiber. Of course when ex- 

 cessive drouth is prevalent all these crops must be irri- 

 gated more frequently, say once a month, in order to 

 induce a steady growth. The various millets should 

 receive the same treatment virtually as prescribed for 

 broom corn. 



In raising millet at the higher altitudes in the 

 Rocky Mountain region, care must be taken not to irri- 

 gate more than is absoluely necessary to keep the crop 

 from drying out. 



Beans. — The ground should be plowed at least 

 eight inches deep. A sandy loam is much preferable to 

 a heavier soil. After the ground is plowed it should be 



