SWEET SORGHUM 123 
Preparation of svil 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 to keep clear of weeds. 
When the crop is intended primarily for forage, 
it may be seeded either thickly in rows, or broad- 
easted. 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 
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