8WJSET SOliGBUM 123 



Preparation of soil and seeding 



The preparation of soil for sorghum should be 

 similar to that recommended for corn, — a deep, 

 well -cultivated seed-bed, but for sorghum the 

 crop should preferably be immediately preceded 

 by a cultivated crop, in order to free the land of 

 weeds. The plants germinate readily, but make a 

 very thin and slow early growth, thus rendering it 

 difficult t© keep clear of weeds. 



When the crop is intended primarily for forage, 

 it may be seeded either thickly in rows, or broad- 

 casted. If seeded in rows, from ten to twelve 

 pounds of seed per acre are sufficient. If broad- 

 casted, twenty to twenty - five pounds will be 

 required. The crop should not be planted until 

 the soil is thoroughly warmed, and the weather 

 likely to be hot, as the plant does not thrive in 

 cold, moist weather. Broadcast seeding is not 

 recommended except on clean lands, as the weeds 

 are likely to start vigorous growth and seriously 

 reduce the yield of the sorghum. 



To grow maximum crops the land should be 

 well manured or fertilized; inasmuch as it is a 

 cultivated plant, which roots more deeply than the 

 millets, the nitrogen requirements are not so ex- 

 acting. However, the soil should be abundantly 

 supplied with available phosphoric acid and pot- 

 ash. A good dressing of manure of six to eight 



