The Arizona sentinel., 1888-03-24
SORGHUM CULTURE.
A Plant That Requires the Same Soil and
 Care as Corn.

l A RlanC Inat Requires the Same SOll ana Care as Corn.
 In general it may be said that sorghum will thrive on any land that will produce a fair crop of corn. both plants requiring about the same soil and climate The cultivation also is substantially the same, except that in it's early stages sorghum requires more attention than corn, being more liable 10 be choked by weeds. After having a good start sorghum is a vigorous plant and will stand !. severe drought much better than corn. With sorghum, however, not only the stalk. but is quality Gas to richness of cane juice in saccharine proper ties) must be taken into account and this is more or less affected by the soil as well as climate.
 Whilst. then, broadly speaking, land that is good for corn is good for sorghum. the best results can only be expected from soil specially adapted to all the wants of the latter. Whilst cane-growers are generally agreed as to what is good and what is poor land for sorghum. there is some dis agreement as to what is the very best.
 Most cane-growers agree that sandy. upland soil is very good, and black bottom very poor; the new land is good. especially the bright clay soil found in many sections on the skirts of timber land; that any soil that is mixture of sand inclined to limestone, and with clay enough to hold it we'll together is very good; that upland soil, moderately thick. with limestone subsoil, is excellent; that poor soil is better than very rich soil; that warm, dry soils, having a southern exposure and natural drainage, are desirable; and that clay land gives good sirup, but not so large yield
 The soil, unless in good condition, should be manured in the fall with vegetable or rotten stable manure. This is especially desirable in clay lands. Land freshly manured yields poor sirup.
 Flow deep and pulverize thoroughly. By throwing into ridges the soil will be better affected by frost in winter, and will dry out sooner in the spring. In general, prepare the ground as for corn. Deep fall blowing is very de- sirable, especially for new land, as it will put the ground in good condition. and tend to destroy the weeds by winter freezing. If practicable, sheltered ground should be selected, as safeguard against the prostration of the crop. The ground should be well prepared and the culti- vaion thorough. so as to destroy all weeds. All extra labor put in during the early stages of the growth of sor- gum will be repaid amply in the in- creased value of the crop. Special care should be taken that replanting may be required, since it is important that all the cane mature at the same time.
 In the spring. after breaking up the ground by deep blowing. it should be thoroughly pulverized and made ready for planting by clearing off all weeds and litter. It should be put in condi- lion suitable for garden.
 We take leave of this part of our subj cs by adding (even if we but re- iterate in other words what we have said above) with emphasis, blow deep. no matter how deep. The roots of the cane will penetrate several feet and they need great depth to give the best result. -SorQhun1 HG7ad- Booh.