236 



SOUTHERN FIELD CROPS 



sometimes attain a diameter of \^ inches. Where known, 

 this is a favorite variety for the production of sirup, by- 

 reason of the large size of stalk, the large 

 yield of cane, and the smaller amount of 

 labor required in stripping it. 



The Amber varieties are early, requir- 

 ing only about three months to reach 

 maturity. The Orange is two or three 

 weeks later, the stems larger and the 

 yield somewhat greater than in the 

 Amber varieties. 



Sumac, or Red-top, sorghum is about 

 as late as Orange. 



The richness in sugar of any variety 

 may be greatly increased by selecting 

 seed a few years from those plants which, 

 by chemical tests, show the highest per- 

 centages of sugar. The usual amount of 

 sugar in the juice is 12 to 16 per cent. 

 216. Soils and fertilizers. — Sweet sorghum may be 

 grown on soils of almost any character. Because of its 

 drought resistance, it is often assigned to poorer soil than 

 that given to any other crop outside of the class of legumes 

 or soil-improving plants. 



Sorghum is often grown without f ertihzer ; but on soils 

 where it is necessary to fertilize other crops, this responds 

 profitably to moderate apphcations of manure and to 

 any commercial fertilizer suitable for corn on the same 

 soil. Nitrogen seems to be the most important con- 

 stituent in a fertihzer for sorghum, but it is often advis- 

 able to add moderate amounts of phosphoric acid and 



