92 



THB S:^^D ANNUAI, OF THK 



SORGHUM VUI/GAR^. 



Under the botanical name Sorghum vulgare the most of 

 the Sorghum varieties, cultivated for stock food are known to 

 the botanist, the different species are or ly hybrids. 



The best and most suitable variety for our climate is un- 

 doubtedly the Early Amber Sorghum. It is largely planted 

 by our planters here and has become quite a favorite as stock 

 food with them. All who have tried it speak ver\" highly of 

 its nutritive and fattening properties for hogs and other ani- 

 mals and of the large yield of grain it produces. 



Next to the Early Amber, the Early Orange may be con- 

 sidered the best. In fact the difference between these two 

 varieties is so little that is hardly perceptible. 



Sorghum should be sown in the spring as early as possible 

 in drills, about three feet apart and three to four quarts of seed 

 are the necessary quantity to sow an acre. 



Amber Sorsrham 



DHOURO, or l^GYPTIAN CORN. 



This is a well known cereal. It produces a large quantity of seed, of which fowls and 

 animals are fond. Can also be sown broad-cast for soiling, or in drills for fodder and seed. 

 If sowed in drills, one peck of seed per acre is ample. If sown broad-cast, one bushel per 

 acre. For grain, the stalks should cot be nearer than lo inches in the drill, but if to be 

 cut repeatedly for soiling, it is better to sow quite thickly in the hills. Seed should not 

 be sown too early, and covered from one -half to one inch. If too much rain in the spring, 

 the seed will not come well ; they require more heat than the other Sorghums. 



RTJRAIy BRANCHING SORGHUM or Mll^IyO MAI^]^. 



Produces the seed heads upright in a vertical position, while the others are drooping. 

 The seeds are smaller, but will keep longei than the other varieties. The stalk grows very 

 large and produces a good many large leaves. It suckers and tillers more and more the 

 oftener it is cut. It exceeds greatly in yield of green fodder any of the familiar fodder 

 plants, except the ''Teosinte." It should be planted exclusively in the drills four feet 

 apart, 18 to 20 inches in the drills. 



KAFFIR CORN. 



Sorghum Kaffrorum. 



A variety of Sorghum non-saccharine, and distinctly differing in habit of growth and 

 other characteristics from all others of that class. The plant is low, stocks perfect!}' erect, 

 the foliage is wide, alternating closely on either side of the stalks. 



It does not stool from the root, but branches from the top joints, producing from two 

 to four heads of grain from each stalk. The heads are long, narrow and perfectly erect, 

 well j511ed with white grain, which at maturity is slightly flecked with red or reddish 

 brown spots. Weight, 60 lbs. per bushel. 



The average height of growth on good strong land, 5^ to 6 feet; on thin land. 4)2 to 

 5 feet. The stalk is stout, never blown about by winds, never tangles, and is always man- 

 ageable, easily handled. A boy can gather the grain heads or the fodder. The seed 

 heads grow from 10 to 12 inches in length, and product of grain on good land easily 

 reaches 50 to 60 bushels per acre. 



It has the quality common to man)- Sorghums of resisting drought. 



The whole stalk, as well as the blades, cures into excellent fodder, and in all stages of 

 its growth is available for green feed, cattle, mules and hones being equally fond of it, 

 audits quality is not surpassed by anj^ other known variety. If cut down to the ground 

 two or more shoots spring from the root, and the growth is thus maintained until checked 

 by frost. 



The Kaffir Corn may be planted in the latter part of March, or early in April. It 

 bears earlier planting than other Millets or Sorghums. It should be put in rows not over 



