SUDAN GEASS AND RELATED PLANTS. 35 



season can be made, but usually no appreciable increase in jneld 

 of hay results. (Fig. 19.) 



Sorghum when very young is 90 per cent water; just before 

 heading, 87 per cent; when first heads are appearing, 85 per cent; 

 in full bloom, 80 per cent; and when ripe, 75 per cent. Sudan 

 grass is so nearly like sorghum that it is safe to estimate the per- 

 centage of moisture in Sudan grass by that found in sorghum 

 at like stages of maturity. It is apparent, therefore, that if the 

 crop is cut quite young, practically 90 per cent of the total weight 

 will be made up of water. This means that only 10 per cent of 

 the crop is dry matter and effective as feeding material. Where 



Tig. 19.— Sudan grass in drilled seedings at the Fort Hays Experiment Station, Hays, Kans. Both plats 

 were seeded on June 14; the plat on the left shows the second growth after a first cutting made on 

 August 3 before the grass headed. Photographed September 4, 1915. 



the crop is cut when in full bloom or with the seeds in the soft-dough 

 stage, approximately 20 per cent of the total weight is dry matter 

 and possesses feeding value. 



The percentages of protein, ash, and fat are highest in young 

 plants and lowest in mature ones. The yield of these elements in 

 pounds per acre is larger, however, when the grass has been allowed 

 to head. Early cutting is not justified, therefore, either from the 

 standpoint of total yield or food value. The wisdom of allowing 

 Sudan grass to grow at least until it has headed is indicated by the 

 results presented in Table VI. 



The question of palatability affects the decision regarding the time 

 of cutting. Sudan grass leaves remain green and new shoots keep 



