102 
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Sudan Grass 
IT LAUGHS AT DROUGHTS AND REJOICES 
WHEN IT RAINS 
We know of no plant which has grown so rapidly in popularity 
as has Sudan Grass. This was introduced into this country through 
the courtesy of' the Sudan Government at Khartown, Africa. It 
proved itself well adapted to drought and in a few years became 
one of our staple and dependable crops. 
In 1915 there were approximately 20,000 acres of Sudan Grass 
in Kansas. In 1919 this had increased to 108,644 acres yielding hay 
worth $2,816,702.75. 
Sudan Grass is a tall, leafy annual grass of the sorghum family. 
Being a native of a hot dry climate it is naturally adapted to the 
relatively dry conditions of the Middle Western States. It is adapted 
to practically all soils except those which are very wet and poorly 
drained, or those which are extremely alkaline or extremely sandy. 
It does best on well drained rich to sandy loams, but 
inasmuch as it sends out an extensive root system it 
is profitable on thin, poor upland soils. 
Sudan Grass is not a legume and therefore does not 
add nitrogen to the soil, but its extensive fibrous 
root system does add considerable organic matter. 
As it is annual it can be used in any ordinary farm 
rotation and as it matures quickly it is a very valu- 
able catch crop and especially valuable as an emer- 
gency crop. It can be planted in Kansas as late as 
July 15th and therefore can be put on land where 
corn, kaffir, or other small grains have failed. 
Sudan is primarily a hay crop. It cures very readily 
and the hay is of fine quality. At the Kansas State 
Agricultural College the yield for two years averaged 
4 tons of Sudan, 4 tons of Kansas Orange Cane and 
2.8 tons of Millet. The Sudan hay is similar in com- 
position and value to that of Millet, Timothy, or 
Sorghum hay. Cattle, horses, and sheep, eat it greed- 
ily with no waste and it is reported that horses and 
mules of Western Kansas stand their work better 
when fed Sudan Grass than when fed Alfalfa Hay. 
Each year more and more farmers are using Sudan 
Grass as a summer pasture with good results. At 
certain stages of its growth the plant is known to 
contain prussie acid, a poison which in. sorghums has 
often caused the death of cattle. Few losses have 
been reported but care should be taken when cattle 
are first turned into a Sudan-Grass field. At Dodge 
City, Kansas, three acres kept an average of 20 cows 
in good condition in a dry summer and when the cows 
were changed from- native pasture to Sudan Grass 
they showed a gain of 3.2 pounds of milk per day. 
The planting of Sudan Grass seed should be delayed 
until the soil is thoroughly warm. Sorghum planting 
time or a little later is about right for Sudan. 
When planted for hay or pasture the best method 
is to plant from 15 to 25 pounds to the acre with a 
grain drill. The amount of seed depends On the 
soil, climate, and rainfall. When planted for see l 
production the best results are obtained by planting 
from 2 to 4 pounds to the acre in rows forty and 
forty-four inches apart. This can be done very easily 
by using the ordinary corn planter with a milo plate. 
The ground on which Sudan is planted should be 
in good condition at planting time. This is very im- 
portant because Sudan grows very slowly the first 
three weeks. When Sudan is planted with a grain 
drill no cultivation is necessary and when planted 
with a corn planter the corn-cultivating machinery 
should be used. 
Sudan Grass under average conditions yields two 
cuttings of hay each season. Under favorable con- 
ditions three cuttings are sometimes secured. 
The ordinary mower offers the best means of har- 
vesting Sudan when grown for hay. It cures readily 
and small dews or light showers do not injure it. 
It seems that the best time to cut Sudan for hay is 
as soon as it begins to head. 
In growing for seed it is usually more profitable 
to harvest the first crop for seed and the second for 
hay. The common way of harvesting Sudan in culti- 
vated rows is with an ordinary corn binder. The 
crop should be shocked in the field and allowed to 
cure thoroughly before threshing. Threshed Sudan 
Grass is good roughage and adds Considerable value 
to the seed crop. 
Sudan Grass when nearly mature makes good en- 
silage, but as it cures so readily it is recommended 
to feed Sudan for hay and use corn and sorghums for 
ensilage. 
We have been growing and selling Sudan Grass 
seed for several years and can at all times , supply 
the very best seed at the lowest market prices. 
JOHNSON GRASS (Sorghum Halapense). We find 
this grass winter kills in the Northern States. A per- 
ennial, a rapid grower with long cane-like roots ; 
the leaf, stalk, and pinnacle of this grass resembles 
those of sorghums. It is grown on any land where 
corn will grow. Ten pounds will sow an acre. Lb., 20c. 
See Pink List for prices of all Gracs Seeds. ., 
