DRY LAND FARMING IN EASTERN COLORADO 
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to milo maize as a feed is that it is constipating and stock after a 
few weeks feeding on it suffer in consequence. This may be overcome 
by feeding some alfalfa or flaxstraw, the oil in the few seeds left in 
the straw acting as a laxative. 
The plants of sorghum, kafir corn and milo maize develop large 
root systems, much larger than corn. This enables each plant to 
secure moisture from a comparative large area. When a drought 
comes, these crops live but stand still for weeks, and if late rains 
come, start quickly and mature seed. 
Millet gives a fair yield in seasons where the rainfall reaches the 
average or above. It is a cheap crop to grow and to harvest and on 
this account is liked by many dry land farmers. The German millet 
is the best yielding variety when the rainfall is good. The Broom- 
corn millet withstands drought best. Millet should be cut as soon as 
it comes into head, as the ripe seeds are detrimental to stock. 
Early cut millet makes a fair feed for cattle, and its laxative 
effect is beneficial to cattle being fed sorghum, kafir corn or milo 
maize. Millet hay containing ripe seeds will quickly dry up a dairy 
cow. Millet, no matter at what stage it is cut, is a dangerous feed 
to give horses. If fed long, it will stiffen horses so that they will 
never recover, and often causes their death. 
Corn. In years of average rainfall corn is a valuable forage crop 
in eastern Colorado, and when moisture is abundant, yields a moderate 
crop of grain. On account of the altitude, the Reasons are too short 
and the nights too cool for large crops. Corn fodder raised at this 
high altitude is an excellent dairy feed, entirely different from the 
coarse product of the corn belt. 
Seed developed on the Plains must be used; that from the corn 
belt will not yield much grain in years of heaviest rainfall and in dry 
years often does not even produce fodder. Frequently new settlers 
from Iowa and Illinois will send back for seed for three or four years, 
and every year have a failure before they are willing to accept this 
fact. 
The Plains bred corn has a short’ rather sturdy stalk, limited in 
foliage, and the ears grow close to the ground. The Mexican corn 
stands the drought best. The ears start at or below the ground, and 
the variety is objectionable on this account. The White Australian 
Flint is generally preferred. It is a local variety, bred to withstand 
drought well, and the ear is similar in character to the eight rowed 
flint corn of New England. The grain is very hard and needs to be 
soaked or ground for feeding. The Swadley Dent and the Colorado 
Yellow varieties have ears similar in size and type to the Pride of the 
North Corn of Minnesota. They are prized in many localities. 
A fair crop of corn on dry land is from 10 to 25 bushels per acre, 
and this yield is considered profitable on account of the high price 
of corn in Colorado and the low expense of raising a crop. 
Corn and Milo Maize need similar methods of planting and 
