UTILIZING THE SORGHUM CROP 327 



266. Sorghum poisoning. — Sorghum pasture under 

 some conditions is a virulent poison. This is due to 

 prussic acid forming in the leaves under certain condi- 

 tions. The conditions favoring the development of prussic 

 acid seem to be hot, clear, and dry weather, producing 

 a stunted growth. Poisoning is most common in semiarid 

 regions. When conditions are right for developing poison, 

 the sorghum should be pastured with caution, as the poison 

 acts quickly and there is no known remedy. Cattle 

 should not be pastured on stunted or drought-stricken 

 sorghum. Where it is desired to test the pasture, prob- 

 ably the best way is to allow only a single animal to- graze 

 the field for a day or two. 



When poisonous sorghum is cut and allowed to lie 

 until wilted, the poisonous property entirely disappears. 



