SUDAN GRASS AND RELATED PLANTS. 35 
season can be made, but usually no appreciable increase in yield 
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 
erass 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 
Fic, 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 fuli bloom or with the seeds in the soft-dough 
stage, approximately 20 per cent of the total weight is aie matter 
and possesses feeding value. 
The percentages ai 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 
