54 FORAGE CROPS. 



small ears. They grow numerously around every 

 top joint, and are inclosed in a husk. Some of the 

 heads remain erect, as those of Kaffir corn. Others, 

 as those of Dhourra and Jerusalem corn, hang down, 

 suspended on a goose neck curve of the seed stem. 

 Fourth, seeds are numerous, but are much smaller 

 than those of corn. Fifth, they require a longer 

 period to mature seed than is required by corn, hence 

 in the far south they may be cut from two to four 

 times in one season to provide green food. Strong 

 evidence is here presented of the marked adaptability 

 of these plants to furnish pasture, but with the excep- 

 tion of Kaffir corn the author is unable to cite conclu- 

 sive experience in growing these crops for pasture. 

 Reasoning from general principles, teosinte should 

 lead the list in such adaptability, because of its extra- 

 ordinary tendency to tiller and to produce an abun- 

 dance of fine leaves. But the question of palatability 

 will have an important bearing on the relative value 

 of these various plants for pasturing, and this does 

 not as yet appear to have been fully determined. 



The non-saccharine sorghums differ from one 

 another in the following particulars among others 

 that could be enumerated : First, in the size and 

 strength of the stem. Second, in the size and number 

 of the leaves. Third, in the erect or pendulous char- 

 acter of the stem which sustains the matured seed. 

 Fourth, in the degree to which they sucker or tiller, 

 and, fifth, in the time which they require to mature 

 their seed. At the Minnesota University experiment 

 farm in 1897, but little ripe seed was produced by any 

 of the non-saccharine sorghums, although planted on 

 May 17th. These plants were not seriously injured 



