SORGHUMS 271 



Planter is not considered a desirable variety under 

 American conditions. 



Sumac. Sumac sorgo, also known as Redtop or Red- 

 head, was introduced from Natal in 1857. Sumac varies 

 but little and may be easily distinguished by its erect, 

 cylindrical, quite dense heads 6 to 9 inches long, some- 

 times loose at the top ; glumes dark red or black, hairy, 

 much shorter, than the seeds ; grains very small, obovate, 

 brownish red. Sumac is too late to mature north of a 

 line from northern Virginia to southern Kansas. 



Honey. Honey has also been called Japanese seeded 

 cane. It was found growing in Texas in 1904, but its 

 earlier history is uncertain. Stems tall, very juicy, 

 sweeter than any other variety known ; leaves 14 to 16 ; 

 panicles erect, pyramidal, very loose and open, 9 to 11 

 inches long, the slender branches more or less drooping; 

 glumes reddish, nearly smooth and about equal in length 

 to the dark red-brown grains ; late, maturing with Sumac. 



This variety is probably the best of all in its ability 

 to remain erect until maturity. 



Gooseneck. This is also known as " Texas Seeded Rib- 

 bon Cane." It has been known since 1876 and is perhaps 

 one of the varieties from Natal. Stems very tall and stout, 

 12 to 14 feet high, very sweet and juicy; heads ovoid, 

 rather dense, 5 to 9 inches long, 3 to 5 inches broad, all 

 recurved or at least inclined at maturity; glumes hairy, 

 black, the lower one awned ; grains obovate, reddish yel- 

 low, inclosed by the glumes ; later than Sumac by about 

 one week. 



Gooseneck is better for sirup than for forage. It does 

 not lodge much in spite of its great height. 



Kafir or Kafir corn. Kafirs are all originally from 

 southeast Africa, whence they were introduced in 1876, 



