130 A MANUAL OF FARM GRASSES 



SUDAN GRASS 



Sudan grass is a form of sorghum differing from the 

 varieties described in the paragraph on that subject 

 (page 127). It is a slender-stemmed form reaching a 

 height of 5 to 7 feet when grown thickly or to the height 

 of 9 feet or more when grown in rows and cultivated. 

 The stooling of the stems is pronounced, one seed pro- 

 ducing 50 to 100 stems when there is plenty of room, 

 though under ordinary conditions only a few are formed. 

 In general appearance Sudan grass is more like Johnson 

 grass than the familiar varieties of sorghum, but no 

 rootstocks are produced. The panicle is large and open. 



Sudan grass is giving much promise in the warmer 

 portions of the United States. Just how far north it can 

 be used to advantage has not yet been definitely deter- 

 mined. It is sensitive to frost but is a quick grower and 

 will produce a crop during the frostless months, as it 

 requires only 60 to 70 days for maturity. The Maryland 

 Agricultural Experiment Station reports success with this 

 crop. (Md. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 194. 1916.) On ac- 

 count of its quick growth and heavy yield, it is exhausting 

 to the fertility of the soil. Its chief use northward is as a 

 catch hay crop, as is millet. It is valuable for hay and 

 for soiling and is used in the same way as sorgo. 



Sudan grass is best sown with a grain drill at the rate 

 of about 15 pounds (of clean seed) in the dry sections 

 or 20 to 25 pounds in the humid sections. If sown 

 broadcast the amount required is one-half to one-third 

 more. The hay can be cut when the plants start to head 

 but a better quality is produced when the heads are in 



