American Agriculturist, February 17,1923 
139 
Experiences With Sudan 
What We Have Learned of This Forage Crop 
F or determining the By H. 
value of new varie- ^ 
ties of forage plants it is well to com¬ 
pare the experience of as many as 
possible of those who have grown them 
for a few years in different localities 
and under different conditions, and dif¬ 
ferent modes of culture. Perhaps our 
experience with Sudan grass may be 
helpful. Last year, 1922, we had one 
row in the garden that was well culti¬ 
vated and kept entirely free from weeds 
and other grass. The plants were slow 
in coming up and of slow growth at 
first. Still after they got started the 
growth was rapid and rather remark' 
able, especially the stooling habit of 
the plant. 
It was cut four times and when 
heavy frosts came there was still a 
broad solid row of healthy green. It 
was hard to belieye that those small 
plants at first could attain such a 
spread of branches. Although the sea¬ 
son was unusually dry, there was no 
brown or dried leaves on this forage. 
This year we prepared quite an area, 
getting the ground in fine shape, plow¬ 
ing under a coat of manure and sowed 
the seed broadcast the 25th of April, 
the same date of last year’s garden 
sowing, and covered with a light plank 
drag. 
The plants came so slow and scatter¬ 
ing that the weeds got the start to 
the extent that the piece was mowed 
over July 1, and left on the ground. 
There was a good growth after this 
that had the start of the weeds. This 
was cut August 1, and cured for hay. 
The grass then again made a good 
growth so that on September 18 it 
was again cut, averaging about four 
feet in height, a good, clean and well 
cured crop. , 
A Heavy Thii'd Cutting 
A safe and conservative estimate of 
this third cutting is a half ton on the 
quarter acre. Our experience with this 
forage t|;iese two years leads to a be¬ 
lief that it will prove of great value 
when grown on land adapted to its 
growth, for like its cousin the corn 
plant, it will not thrive on land that 
is cold and wet, or where the rank 
weeds get the upper hand. 
Join it in rows about the same as 
beans, twenty-eight inches apart, and 
cultivate the crop. Still there were 
mistakes in the managment of this 
year’s crop that would have made a 
great difference if we had only known. 
I believe that if the ground had been 
kept under cultivation a month longer 
or until May 26, so as to kill those 
weeds, 'and get a firmer seed bed, and 
if the seed had been harrowed in lightly 
and rolled, there would have been a 
different report on the 1922 experience. 
For sowing the seed broadcast it will 
not work with the grass-seed machine, 
and is too small to sow with the grain 
drill, so it appears that the old-fash¬ 
ioned hand broad-casting has to be 
practiced. The seed greatly resembles 
that of broom corn, as this plant be¬ 
longs to the corn family. It appears 
<“0 be adapted to a wide area and when 
we became wise as to its requirements 
and habits there is little question 
as to its value as an addition to our 
already large number of forage plants, 
as its drouth resistance is remarkable 
and it will afford an abundance of 
choice green fodder through the dry 
season of July and August. As there 
is abundance of moisture in the ground 
at this date, there is plenty of time for 
this stubble to start up and make a 
good growth before heavy frosts occur 
to kill it and this can either be pastured 
off or allowed to remain as a winter 
mulch for the gTound, the value of 
which is often overlooked in our farm 
management. 
HARDINESS DETERMINES THE 
VALUE OF SEED 
A. L. BIBBINS 
The hardiness of seed depends largely 
upon its pedigree and origin. A great 
difference exists between the hardiness 
of seed produced in Europe, South 
America and southern regions of the 
United States, as compared to seed 
. COX coming from hardier 
regions of the North. 
It is also found that there is a differ¬ 
ence between the seed coming from 
various sections of the North jvhere 
there is a more severe test of the 
hardiness and only the fittest can sur¬ 
vive. 
It is the wish of the writer that 
every reader of the American Agri¬ 
culturist might visit some the tests 
conducted by the agricultural colleges 
and the United States Department of 
Agriculture. They would see for them¬ 
selves the comparative differences in 
hardiness and productiveness of seed 
coming from all points of the world. 
If every eastern farmer were to follow 
the lesson brought out by this test, 
their net income not only from forage 
crops, but from the farm as a whole, 
would be materially' increased. 
In one test in particular, samples of 
clover seed produced in northern Eu¬ 
rope, southern Europe, South America, 
the middle western states, northern 
states, northwestern states, on the 
Pacific Coast were planted side by side 
under exact soil and climatic condi¬ 
tions. Seed coming from Poland, Ger¬ 
many, Hungary, northern and southern 
France, Italy and Chile gave equally 
as good catches as that coming from 
Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Wis¬ 
consin and the northwestern states. 
First Winter Shows Weaknesses 
After one winter had elapsed, there 
was a marked difference in the various i 
strips of clover, some cases only a half : 
a stand remained. In other cases not ; 
more than 25 per cent of the plants 
had lived over the winter and in some ! 
strips a complete failure resulted. This ' 
was particularly true of the seed com¬ 
ing from South America, Spain and ; 
the Mediterranean districts of Europe, i 
The conclusions drawn from the tests 
were that the productive value of seed : 
grown in foreign countries is very 
doubtful when seeded under North 
American conditions. 
One very interesting point brought 
out was the hardiness of seed coming 
from a few sections of Michigan. This 
same seed also produced the greatest 
amount of second growth which is a 
valuable point to consider. For dairy¬ 
men in need of pasture, such seed has 
an additional value. After removing 
the hay crop, the strong second 
growth provides excellent pasture. 
Even though pasture is not needed, this 
second growth is of considerable bene¬ 
fit as it provides a leguminous gi’owth 
to turn in under as a soil enricher, the 
benefit of which is spread over several 
years. 
Most of our remarks in this article 
have pertained to clover seed, but we 
wish to assure our readers that the 
differences in most cases, were mop 
striking in the alfalfa tests and it is 
of equal importance to be positive rela¬ 
tive to the origin of alfalfa seed. 
Danger in Imported Seed 
There are several million pounds of 
imported alfalfa seed in North Amer¬ 
ica to-day. These tests have shown 
that such seed cannot be compared 
with the productive and hardy strains 
produced in the best growing regions 
of North America. We are also con¬ 
fronted with the existence of several 
million pounds of seed raised in the 
South and southwestern territories of 
North America, which is also poorly 
adapted to our Northern conditions. 
We can no longer afford to gamble 
on our seed. The value of the crop is 
too great. The best of soil fertilizers 
and culture conditions cannot produce 
a successful crop unless the very best 
of seed be used. The seed is the un¬ 
derlying foundation. 
COMING EVENTS 
February 21-23, Eastern Meeting, N. Y. 
State Hort. Society, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. 
March 3, Boston Market Growers’ Associa¬ 
tion, 12 S. Market St., Boston, Mass, 
March 12-17, International Flower Show, 
Grand Central Palace, New York City, 
March 17, Boston Market Growers' Associa¬ 
tion, Anson-Wheeler Estate, Concord, Mass, 
May 1,5-lf), American Guernsey Cattle Club, 
New York City, 
,June 21, Dairymen’s League Cooperative 
Association, Utica, N, Y, 
DIBBLE'S 
POTATOES 
Northern-grown from pedigree stock seed, on soils especially atUipted to the host develop¬ 
ment of each variety, are unexcelled as to purity, quality, vigor, freedom from disease, and 
productiveness. For this Spring’s planting, we after a stock of around , 
100,000 BUSHELS 
which were taken direct from fields where the vines ripened naturally or grew green until 
killed by frost in the late Autumn, Our list comprises “The Best fourteen Varieties extra 
edrly, early, medium and late, a selection approved by Dr, William Stuart ol the U, . 
Department of'Agriculture, whom we consider the greatest American authority on potatoes. 
The best potato for main crop is Dibble’s Russet, a variety that we have lorind to be mor 
vigorous in growth, more free from disease, and more productive than any other sort now 
grown on American soil. Scores of our customers have written us that Dibbles Russet _ has 
doubled their crops.” If your crop last season was unsatisfactory, or it your se^d 's run 
out,” now is the time to get new stock seed. Seed potatoes are"cheap this year. W e have a 
few thousand bushels of Dibble’s Certified Russets at most attractive prices. Send at once 
for Dibble’s Farm Seed Catalog, 10 sample packages of Dibbles F^rm Seeds hnd Up-to-Date 
Price List, FREE. Address, EDWARD F. DIBBLE, Seedgrower, Box A. Honeoye 1' alls, N. 
Headquarters 
For Seed Potatoes, Corn, Oats, Alfalfa, Clover, Grass and all Farm Seeds. 
Garrahan’s Cabbage and 
Celery Seed Costs You 
Nothing If You’re Not 
Thoroughly Satisfied 
CABBAGE 
ON E POUND . . . . 
$10.00- 
HALF POUND.. 
. 5.00 
QUARTER LB. .. 
, 3.00 
ONE OUNCE- 
. 1.00 
CELERY 
ONE POUND. . . 
.$20.00 
HALF POUND. . 
. 10.00 
QUARTER LB. . 
. 6.00 
ONE'OUNCE. . . 
. 2.00 
c. 
I’ve made a lifetime hobby of developing 
Garrahan’s Easy Blanching Celery and Gar- 
rahan’s Jersey Wakefield Cabbage (developed 
into fine sturdy heads like the Charleston Wake¬ 
field, but have early maturing qualities) and for 
that reason I KNOW that you’ll find them 
SQrtisf sctoTy 
Simply enclose your bank reference with your 
order. Pay me when your crop is grown and 
you are satisfied my Seed is worth its price. 
You are to be the judge. 
MARKET GARDENER 
" 393 Northampton Street 
KINGSTON, PA. 
Three implements for 
the price of one 
You can buy separate seeders, single-wheel 
hoes, and double-wheel hoes—but that’s not 
necessary. This Planet Jr. No. 25 combined 
seeder, double and single-wheel hoe is all 
three implements in one, as practical and as 
economical a tool as is made. This substantial 
implement combines the accuracy and sira- 
plicity of all Planet Jr. seeders with the 
separate and distinct advantages of ^ 
Planet Jr. single-wheel and double- ^ 
wheel hoes. Complete equipment in- ^ -- 
eludes hoes, cultivator teeth, 
pair of plows, and marker, all 
oil-tempered by the special Planet 
Jr. process. Compare this implement 
at your nearest Planet Jr. dealer. 
Write us, or ask your dealer 
for the Planet Jr. catalog 
S. L. Allen &Co.» Inc. 
Dept. 36 
5th and Glenwood Ave. 
Philadelphia 
Thit mark 
and the name 
**Planet Jr.** 
identify 
our produQit* 
BARGAINS 
Prices are lowl 
enough now so^ 
you can afford to 
plant Fruits, Shrubs, Ev- 
ergreens, etc. Bargains I am of¬ 
fering permit landscaping your 
property at few dollars cost. 100 
Strawberries, $1. Jpor*c<>rd 
Grapes. 12 for $1. Red oil Black 
Raspberries 20 for $) .3 Rosebush- 
^S.ll. EARL FEBRIS NURSERY CO.I 
785 Bridge St., Hampton, Iowa 
DATATArC Bliss, (’obbler, Green Mt., Six Weeks, Queen, 
rUl AIULJ King, Rose, Russet. Others. C.W.Ford, RshcfS.N.Y. 
lANDTINOTHY 
CLOVER BARGAIN 
» 4 » 
A. A. 
Eed Clover and Timothy mlxed--tbe standard 
grasses cannot be surpassed for hay and pas* 
tare Contains vrood per gent clover, just right 
to BOW. Thoroughly cleaned and sold on approv- 
al, subject to government test. Askforthi.s mix* 
ed seed if you want our greatest bargain iHave 
■ Pure Clover, Sweet Clover. Timothy and all 
Mil Field and Grass Seeds Buy now. Prices are ad* 
WUevanciDg SAMPLES «nd 116.p. catalog FREE. 
Berry Seed Co.« Box 615 Clarinda, Iowa 
When writing to advertisers please 
mention American Agriculturist. 
