The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-13


Kaffir corn is a new cereal in this coun-
try. 1t was first brought here some five
years ago from the Kahir country, in Afri-
ca, from which it takes it's name. Ex-
perlments proved it a very hardy and pro-
life grain. Last year. for the first time,
large areas of it were planted in Kansas
and Oklahoma, in the latter the acreage
being no less than $4,000 acres. 1t was
claimed that it would grow and thrive
in wet or dry weather, in heat or cold, and
whether the season was long or short.
That was the kind of grain the drought
and hot wind stricken northwest was look
ing for.
The harvest of Kaffir corn, lately gath
ered is said to sustain the claims MADE
for it. The last farming season was one
of drought in Oklahoma. Nevertheless,
the Kaffir corn grew rank and green, and
matured it's abundant kernels with full
weight. The producers of the grain, find
ing no market for it because it was so
new there was no demand, have been
feeding it to horses, hogs, sheep and other
stock, and using Ii on their tables in
place Of rice and homny. 1t is claimed
that as food for stock it is better than
corn; that hogs fatten quicker on it. ana
that horses show increased strength ana
a sleeker coat after diet of Kaffir corn.
These statements may be accepted with
a dash of salt. for a time. But there
seems to be no doubt that the new grain
ie TO r,1aV
the future of the farms of the semi-arid
west. Indeed, it is possible that it will
solve the problem of making agriculture
profitable in that section of the country.
The st. Louis Globe-Democrat, describ-
ing. the Kaffir corn, says CT it:
The stalk looks somewhat like a single
Shoots of common corn, but shorter, at
tanning a hight usually of from four and
half TO. six feet, and having pointed
leaves of a rich green color. The grain
forms in a head at the extreme point
of the shoot. where the tassel is on or
binary corn, the heads being from seven
to twelve inches in length and six to
eight in circumference, and when ripe
look like great white or red plumes. The
grains are almost round little larger
than a grain of rice and much resembling
a grain of wheat in interior structure.
1t may be planted from the first of April
10 llie iLludiG VI July, oii dltN KIM OF SOIL
that is convenient. But little cultiva-
ton is needed to bring 1t to perfection
and the gathering is TO be performed with
more facility than is the case with corn
These are some of the statements made
by Oklahoma farmers who have raised
the crop. 1t is just possible that the nov
city of the new grain has excited a preju-
dice in its favor. However, it is well
worth watching. Georgia farmers might
do well to make some experiments with
it on their own hook If it is good
thing for poor farming country, it stands
TO reason that it would be a better thing
for a good farming country.
Some of the young women up in the
neighborhood of Richmond, ky. appear
to have an altogether erroneous idea with
regard to the privileges afforded them by
the leap year custom. At that town the
other day a bride of less than an hour
deserted her newly-made husband ard
ran off with another fellow, while the
guests at the wedding banquet were yet
discussing the turkey and trimmings.
The leap year privilege, in its broadcast
sense does not permit of any such pro
ceedings.
The popllist national committee x,-il1