KAFFIR CORN 
A good seed bed for corn will prove a good seed bed for Kaffir. The field should be prepared with 
these objects in view: to store and conserve moisture, to permit of deep rooting by the plant, and to Iree 
the ground from weeds. The cultivation should be effective in conserving moisture and m preventing 
weeds from utilizing soil moisture needed by the crop. 
The method of planting and "the amount of seed used per acre depends on the use to be made of the crop. 
When grown in rows for the maximum yield of both grain and fodder, 6 to 8 pounds to the acre in 
3 ^ foot rows are desirable, although this quantity is frequently reduced to 3 or 4 pounds. Thin planting 
however produces coarse stalks which are not readily eaten by stock and a small number of large heads 
which yield less grain than the large number of small heads resulting from thicker seeding. When the 
crop is to be harvested by hand thin planting is desirable. For hay and pasture it should be much thicker 
—one-half to one bushel to the acre in rows or drills and one to two bushels in broadcast seeding. 
Kaffir Corn is planted by listing, surface planting, and drilling and broadcasting. 
In Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas the common method of planting kaffir is by listing. This plants the 
seed at the bottom of a furrow several inches below the level of the field. This furrow is filled by the first two 
cultivations. This puts the root system farther below the surface and the plants are said to be better 
able to resist drought. Listing also affords the young plants protection from the strong /winds and blown 
sand. 
Listing is not recommended where the growing season is short or where there may be much rain. 
Too much rain either fills the furrows with mud or water or forms a crust over the seed. In listing it is 
customary to use a planter with special sorghum plates. 
In surface planting the ordinary corn planter with special sorghum plates may be used or enough 
of the holes in a grain drill may be stopped up to give the desired distance between the rows. 
When the crop is desired for hay or pasture good results can be secured by sowing the seed with a 
grain drill with all holes open or by broadcasting. 
When the crop has been listed, the first cultivation is usually given by running a harrow lengthwise 
of the rows. The young plants grow slowly at first so that frequent and shallow cultivation is necessary 
to keep the weeds in check. Harrowing the direction of the rows throws only a small quantity of earth 
into the lister furrows and does not cover the young plants. After the plants get above the general level 
of the field any ordinary cultivator can be used. While the plants are small and before the roots spread 
into the space between the rows one cultivation 3 M to 4 inches deep should be given. Later cultivation 
should be 'frequent and shallow to maintain an earth mulch to check evaporation. 
When the crop is cut for fodder the grain should be fairly mature; if the heads only are removed 
they should be fully ripe. For hay the crop may be cut at any period of growth from the time the plant 
comes into bloom until the seed is in the hard dough stage. For silage it should be harvested when the 
grain is in the dough stage. 
PINK KAFFIR CORN 
(See page 8) 
WHITE KAFFIR CORN 
It makes a straight upright growth and has a strong stem 
with enormous wide leaves. The stalks keep green and are 
brittle, making excellent fodder, either green or dried, which 
is highly relished by cattle and horses. The heads form at 
the top of each stalk. For the grain sow in rows 3 feet apart, 
3 to 5 pounds of seed to the acre. For fodder sow one-half 
to one bushel, either broadcast or in drills Lb. 10c 
RED KAFFIR CORN 
This grows taller than the white; the stalks are more 
slender, but more juicy and leafy. The heads are long, 
slender, compact, and grow very erect; they measure from 
8 to 15 inches. The seed is red, smaller than that of the 
white, and rather hard and brittle. It does well on poor 
land and yields well. It ripens a little earlier than the 
white variety. It is highly recommended by the Kansas 
Agricultural College at Manhattan.... Lb. 10c 
DWARF BLACK HULL WHITE KAFFIR CORN 
There has been a constant demand the last few years 
for Dwarf Kaffir Corn. The value of the Dwarf Kaffir over 
the tall is apparent. In the first place the Dwarf Kaffir 
can be harvested with a grain header. By being able to 
harvest Kaffir in this manner a considerable saving in labor 
is effected. In the second place plants of dwarf stature 
expose less surface to the sun, and therefore can get along 
with less water Price per pkt. 5c; per lb. 10c 
WHITE KAFFIR 
Courtesy of Kansas State Agricultural 
College. 
FOR PRICESIOF FIELD SEEDS SEE OUR PINK LIST. MAILED FREEJANT TIME 
