94 



Campbell s 1902 Soil Ccxture Ma^'lal. 



rape about the middle of July, having kept a close watch to store and con- 

 serre all rain waters up to sowing. The quickness with which the rape will 

 germinate and the rapidity and rankness of its growth throughout the 

 fall will be a surprise. We look for this plan to develop into large propor- 

 tions because of its practicabilitA' and sure success. 



SORGHUM FOB FORAGE. 



By Prof. A. L. Hecker. Nebraska Experiment Station.) 



THE PLANT. 



Sorghums, both saccharine and nonsaceharine, are too well known to 

 need description, especially the saccharine which is grown in every state 

 in the Union and familiar, no doubt, to every farmer of the Trans-Missis- 

 sippi region. 



The plant is supposed to be a native of central Africa and has been 

 grown in this country some fifty or sixty years. This habit of rapidly 

 acclimating itself has. no doubt, caused its spread and popularity. 



Like corn it requires warm weather for rapid growth and does best 

 on a rich, sandy loam, but will make a fair crop on nearly any kind of soil 

 where crops will grow, Ssorghum will stand much tramping which 

 makes it a plant adapted for pa^^turing. 



PL-\NTING. 



There are many methods of planting in common use throughout the 

 country, but the purpose for which the crop is intended has much to do 

 with the method used. 



Where the sorghum is grown for syrup or sugar it should be of a 

 strongly saccharine variety and planted far enough apart to produce a good 

 stalk. Plant like corn in hills and cultivate or list or drill in rows far 

 apart. 



For forage, sow broadcast from one to one and a half bushels per 

 acre, harrowing in well or drilling in with a .press drill. The amount of 

 seed to use will depend on its quality and whether you wish a thick stand 

 or not. When sown broadcast thickly it will produce a smaU stalk and 

 must be harvested as you would hay. 



Listing sorghum is popular in Nebraska and Kansas, especially in 

 the western portions, where the rainfall is light and the soU rich and loose. 

 Double listing is also practiced and thorough surface ciLltivating is, with- 

 out doubt, the best method to grow sorghum during a drought. 



