348 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 May, 1898. 
Yellow Branching and Dhoura.—Two good varieties, standing drought 
_ well, and therefore to be strongly recommended to our Western friends. They 
crow to a height of 5 feet, and average from 12 to 14 tons peracre. The 
heads bend down under the weight of the seeds, which are equal to corn for all 
farm purposes. Average yield, from 30 to 40 bushels. 
Early Orange Oane.—Beautiful, ornamental sorghum, of stately appear- 
ance and heads erect, though heavily loaded with seeds. Average greenstuff, 
from 20 to 25 tons; average seed production, 40 bushels. 
Egyptian and Jerusalem Corn.—Both these are very similar in appearance 
and in commercial value. Height, 4 feet 6 inches; length of heads, 6 inches. 
Average fodder, from 5 to 6 tons. Seeds, from 30 to 35 bushels. The seeds 
are lens-shaped, rich in starch, and excellent for horse, pig, and poultry feed. 
When ground they make also a good porridge. 
Red and White Kaffir Corn.—Two excellent varieties which I consider 
as the coming corn of Western Queensland. Height, 6 to 7 feet; heads erect, 
beautifully shaped, and ornamental: They are from 10 to 12 inches long, and 
loaded with innumerable round seeds, amounting to from 40 to 45 bushels per 
acre. Same use as maize. 
Sorghum saccharatum, or Common Black-seeded Sorghum.—This is pro- 
bably the variety which has so far been most extensively grown in Queens- 
land, which was, I believe, a mistake. True it extracts a considerable amount 
of stuff from the soil and atmosphere, the average crop being from 15 to 20 
tons, with from 30 to 85 bushels of seed; but farmers, especially dairymen, 
object to it—I believe rightly so—on account of the ‘poor results it gives at 
the pail. It suffices to examine a stem to see that it is more fit to fill the 
stomach than to nourish the body, being composed of an envelope of hard woody 
fibre with a tasteless, juiceless, cork-like marrow inside. 
Planter’s Friend, though better, offers similar disadvantages, the stems 
being also somewhat coarse. it is a heavy yielder, however, averaging from 
15 to 20 tons of greenstuff, and over 40 bushels of seeds; but, I am sorry to 
say, it does not stand dry weather as well as other sorghums. 
The Furmer’s Friend, or Imphee, is also a most valuable member of the family. 
Where the rainfall is copious and reliable, it can be sown broadcast. In the 
drier districts it withers during a drought unless sown in drills. In this way 
the land ean be kept well cultivated; the moisture remains much longer in the - 
ground. ‘The Imphee gives several cuts according to seasons, and for two or 
three years it will regrow from roots without requiring to beresown. 
Early Amber Cane and Lhe Undendibule are two American varieties of 
great merit. I have'no doubt they will be extensively grown as they become 
better known. We had, this season, 14 acres of the latter kind, with which 
we are now trying to make an ensilage stack. ‘Lhe crop has elicited the 
unanimous approval of all those who saw it. The stems are long, leafy, juicy, 
and remarkably sweet. Judging from taste and appearance only, the quantity 
of saccharine matter must be very considerable indeed. The average weight 
of greenstuff and of seeds is probably unsurpassed by any of the above 
varieties. ; : 
‘he so-called Broom Millet (or Sorghum communis) will require a special 
article to itself on account of its considerable economic value, and the special 
treatment it requires before the fibre is ready for the market. 
~The want of proper appliances to cut the sorghums at harvest time has 
been so far a considerable drawback to their profitable cultivation. That 
difficulty is now overcome. The Columbia Cornharvester, which we are now 
using on the Experiment Karm—the first and unique specimen ever introduced 
into Queensland—cuts the crop and delivers it in tied sheaves or bundles, with 
an economy of 90 per cent. on hand labour. I have no hesitation in saying 
that it is the greatest labour-saving acquisition our agriculture has seen since 
the introduction of the reaper and binder for the harvesting of wheat. It is 
likely to be the so long looked-for solution to the question of profitable maize- 
growing and dairying. 
