The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-05-13
The SORGHUMS.

Culture Of Kafir Corn - saccharine and
onsaccharine Varieties of Sorghum.
The sorghums are divided into two
general groups-saccharine and nonsac
charine After considerable experiment
tation It has been shown that the nom
saccharine sorghums are most desirable
for stock feed, either as forage or for
the grain they contain. The variety
which has given the best results, all
things considered, is the red Kaffir
corn. In common with all kinds Of sor-
ghum, it is very sensitive to cold while
young and starts slowly. Consequently
the best results have been obtained in
the semiarid regions where the soil
warns up early and deep and where
droughts are severe. In Kansas, Okla
homa and Nebraska the most flattering
results have been reported during the
past three or four dry seasons. II may
flourish in other states under similar
conditions, but it is exceedingly doubt
full whether it will ever pay to grow it
where the ordinary Indian corn can be
grown so successfully as in Indiana,
Missouri, Illinois, etc.
The ground is prepared as for corn.
The seed can be sown in drills If the
crop is desired for grain as well as for
fodder. Rows 21S or 8 feet apart give
satisfaction. The culture is about like
that of Indian corn. Harrow and culti-
vate frequently enough to keep down
weeds and prevent the upper layers of
soil compacting. If the crop is wanted
for hay, it is best to SOW it broadcast at
the rate of one bushel per acre. The
time of planting will depend upon the
season. Wait until the ground is thor
oughly warm. Where the seed is sown
in drills three pecks per acre is suffi-
cient but in Oklahoma as little as six
pounds per acre is used drilled in to
make stalk every six to ten inches.
As grain crop red Kaffir corn on up
land without irrigation will vary from
30 to so bushels per acre. The latter
figure was reached at the Kansas expert
nlent station when the rainfall was
normal and we'll distributed. During
an. ordinary year the average yield of
fodder is three tons per acre, but some
seasons it is much higher.
Besides Kaffir corn, the Orange Judd
Farmer, authority for the foregoing,
names a number Of other nonsaccharine
varieties that have been tried, with
varying results Jerusalem corn probably
ranks next to red Kaffir. This variety
resists drought we'll and yields white
grain Of superior quality. White Milo
maize comes third 1t is large, vigor
ous plant and produces heavy yield of
forage and fair amount of white grain
Of excellent quality. It's chief drawback
is that it may not mature every year be-
fore frost White Kaffir corn produces a
fine quality of seed, but the fodder crop
is not SO large. Brown Durra, some
times called yellow Milo maize, is quite
similar to the white Milo. The heads,
however, turn over, forming a goose
neck, as they do in Jerusalem corn, and
make it somewhat inconvenient for cut
ting off the seed. In Kansas alone dur
ing 1895 there were raised 1874, 900 acres
Of Kaf1ir corn, $4,000 Of Jerusalem corn
and 5000 of Milo maize. All indica-
tions point to great increase in acreage
for 1896.
Where the crop is broadcasted a second
cutting can often be obtained, especially
if the first crop is harvested early. 1t
starts DIP from the root as ordinary grass
This second growth has been pastured,
but with the saccharine sorghums a
number of instances are on record where
cattle have died upon being turned on to
this second growth. Therefore care
should be taken in pasturing a second
growth of Kaffir corn until it has been
fully demonstrated that it is not harm
full. The grain, when ground to break
the hard covering, is easily digested by
stock and makes good feed in connec-
tion with other grain or alone. The fod-
der is fed as ordinary hay or corn fod-
der, and if run through thrashing ma
chine is in the condition of shredded
fodder. The plant is very valuable be-
cause of, it's drought resisting qualities.
and should dry seasons continue it might
make useful supplementary feed. Wait
until late in the season, until the ground
.is thoroughly warm, before planting.
Labor Saving Device.