398 FIELD CROPS FOR THE COTTON-BELT 



exercised to prevent the seed from being covered deeper 

 than is necessary for good- germination. Otherwise the 

 seed are likely to rot. 



493. Cultivation. In general the cultivation of the 

 grain-sorghums is the same as for corn. During the early 

 growth free use should be made of the weeder and harrow 

 as the young plants are tough and not likely to break. 



494. Harvesting the grain-sorghums. For grain pro- 

 duction the grain-sorghums should be allowed to get 

 fully ripe before cutting. Those varieties that shatter 

 badly may be harvested a few days early to prevent waste 

 of seed. For silage these crops should be cut when in the 

 dough stage as hard seeds in silage are likely to go through 

 the animals undigested. 



The grain-sorghums may be cut with a corn binder and 

 shocked like corn. When they are grown on a large scale, 

 this is the most economical method of harvesting. Smaller 

 areas may be cut with the sled cutter or by hand. The 

 heads may be subsequently removed by laying the bundles 

 on a block and cutting them off with a broadaxe or saw. 

 The heads are often removed from the standing stalks 

 with a sharp knife. The ordinary grain-header has been 

 recommended for this purpose but the height of the plants 

 and the presence of pendent heads in some varieties pre- 

 vent its general use. The dwarf type of milo can be har- 

 vested readily and rapidly with the grain-header. 



The heads are thrashed by running them through an 

 ordinary thrashing machine. If the heads have not been 

 detached from the stalks the ends of the bundles may be 

 inserted in the thrasher and withdrawn when the grain is 

 removed. 



495. Culture of broom-corn. Broom-corn will make 

 a satisfactory yield on any soil well suited to ordinary corn, 



