Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-03-03
. For the State Journal.
Experience in Planting Sorohum Sead

MEssRs EDITORS: Having had considerable
experience IN cultivating sorghum, and pre-
Stunning that some things which have learned
may be of especial service to others, with
your leave | am inclined to make a few sug-
gestions.
Last spring | obtained a bushel of seed for
myself and neighbors-Chinese seed, which
on the whole l much prefer While still in
the oag-a common two.bushel grain bag
tled Its full length, immersed it in a kettle
OF not water, not boiling but some hotter
than could hold my hand in, from one to
two minutes, being duly stirred and jostled
ABOUT so as all to be thoroughly and equally
| brought in contact with the hot water. when
L took it out and let it drip, and placed it
under and behind an elevated oven cook
stove, well covered with a blanket the seed
being spread as much as the bag would allow
tied ITS full length shook up, turned and re-
spread occasionally for a couple of davs, by
which time it was nicely sprouted and ready
Tor planting | then Immediately distribut-
ed 1t among the neighbors that were to have
1t, and 1t was at once planted in fresh plowed
ground, (Sth of May,) and in four DAYS it
began to appear above the ground, so much
ahead OF the usual pestiferous pigeon grass
ana other weeds that the after cultivation
was but little more than for corn. l would.
however, advise hand hoeing or stirring of
the ground as soon as possible after it is IN
so 1t can be seen. Bear in mind, all small
seeds must be lightly coyered: three-ouarters
OF an inch is plenty for sorghum, and if
sprouted 1T mast be PIT IN moist earth,
In following this plan, am fully confident
that my cane was two weeks ahead of what it
would nave been had | planted it dry, be-
sizes being ahead OF the weeds Out of sew
enteen who planted the seed not one failed
to get good stand of cane One who kent
the seed in a cool cellar, ten DAYS before
planting, also secured good stand A ma.
Jorlty OF the parties planting had not planted
or raised cane before.
feel confident that the foregoing suooes-
tons, properly carried out, will obyiate the
Two main objections that hang over the sor-
ghum question, to wit easy cultivation ahead
OF the weeds, and early growth ahead of the
front, if possible.
have thus infinitely described my plan be-
cause 1t Is so simple and easy, and at the
same time so efficient but would caution all
who undertake to sprout seed, to do it care
fully, and when done to plant at once in fresh
plowed, moist soil-not marked out with
plow; If you do, and heavy rain ensues your
seed would be covered so deep that it could
not come up. If properly done there will be
no danger OF drying out one time in twenty,
and feel confident that it will secure all the
advantages our climate will admit of; but to
those who heed not these suggestions and
blunder on the dirt clods and Jumps two to
three inches deep, they might better throw
the seed away, and plant potatoes instead. |
repeat, shallow planting sprouted seed in
fresh, moist mellow soil, is indispensable to
success, and these suggestions understood
and properly carried out will make sorghum
culture as sure and safe as that of Indian
corn.
One item more and | am done Nv neigh
Dor, +. s. Henry, turned about 100 sheep in
to an acre Of corn when ready for stripping,
and the result was the corn was nicely strip
ped, as high as they could reach in few days,
which was nearly al the stripping required
to the great advantage of the sheep, and no
charge for services.
Excuse my length, and believe me, as ever,
Yours truly, f. G. CURTIS.
Rocky Run, Col Co., Wis.