The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-08-10
KAFFIR CORN NOW
Has Great Advantage
Over Other Crops.
Unaffected BY DrOughtS IL Waits
Patiently for the Next
Shower.

those who have pinned their faith
to the idea that the Great Plains cOun-
try would be made habitable, have fell
sure that time and investigation would
reveal certain crops adapted to the
conditions there prevailing Already
the success of alfalfa growing in the
valleys and, under irrigation, on the
uplands, has gone a long way toward
solving the problem of utilizing for
homes these vast stretches of most
fertile soil. Hard wheat, too, has dem
onstrated it's profitableness to the per-
sistent sower, and sorghum will be a
factor of no small value; but it is
doubtful whether any other single crop,
thus far tested, approaches Kaffir corn
in real value as an all-around, every
year reliable standby for the great
semi-arid areas of the country.
Kafir corn, like all the seed-head
bearing, drought resisting grain and
fodder crops, is of African origin. Its
seed is borne at the top of the stalk
like the seed of the sorghums, but is an
leaves are very abundant and long,
and hold on well. The grain natures
before the fodder and may be cut off
before the fodder is harvested-a very
decided advantage over Indian corn,
which must be cut before the grain is
ready for harvesting if the fodder ia
to be saved. The grain is not only
equal as feed for stock, pound for
pound, to the best Indian corn, but has
proven so palatable and wholesome
for table use that several of the Kan
sas mills have provided special ma
chinery for grinding it into flour or
meal, and it is steadily growing in
favor.
The yield of seed was as high as
sixty bushels per acre and will av-
erage about the same as Indian corn.
In addition to the grain, a heavy growth
of the finest fodder is produced, which
is greatly relished by stock. Even
the stubble, left from cutting in the
ordinary manner, will be eaten down
to the ground, and the largest stalks
are eaten up clean. Horses, cattle and
sheep will eat it in preference to the
best hay, when tested as to choice.
Few general field crops will better
repay thorough tillage and the apph-
cation of plenty of water and, on the
other hand, no other crop yet tested
will better withstand drought and
neglect If moisture is abundant,
Kaffir corn thrives and attends strictly
to business. If the water supply gives
out and brassy skies and warm winds
dry up and blow away Indian corn and
crops of similar habits, Kafffr corn
simply takes rest and waits patient
ly for the next shower.
In general terms, it may be briefly
stated that the preparation of the
ground, the methods and times of
planting and cultivation may be the
same as with Indian corn. 1t is SEN
sitive to frost, but not more so than
its Indian cousin. To make sure of a
good full crop, full average season
of continued growth is required. I'll
planting is too late, or cultivation de-
ficient, or moisture lacking, or early
frosts intervene, there will be more
or less grain; but to be sure of full
crop, the seed should be planted as
early as Indian corn would be and in
ground as carefully prepared, and Gull
tivation and moisture will be we'll re-
paid.
There are two varieties. the red and
the white. The red sort has proven
greatly superior to the other as a
yielder, making itself in about two
weeks shorter time, producing larger
average yield of seed, heavier growth
of leaves to the stalk and having a
much greater tendency to lift it's seed
heads clear off the boot or sheath.
A large proportion of the heads of the
white Kaffir will have a zone of mil
dewed grains at the base, because of
not combing clear of the sheaf.
In replanting, the seed should not,
perhaps, be covered quite so deeply as
Indian corn, but the rows should be
about the same distance apart and the
number of plants to the row or hill
should be substantially the same as
with the great staple. 1t may be
check-rowed, drilled listed or sown
with results similar to those secured
with the Indian corn.
The grain is sometimes harvested
with a header and the stalks cut later;
but there is danger of the heads heat
ing and spelling the grain if piled or
binned in large masses before becom-
ing thoroughly dry. The best method
of handling is to cut the whole crop
close to the ground and after curing in
the shock, run heads, stalks and all
through a separator having large
proportion of the cylinder and concave
teeth removed. This threshes out and
separates the grain and puts the
roughness in first-class shape for feed
ing.
If the seed is to be kept pure, the
greatest care should be taken to pre-
vent it's mixing with sorghum, rice
corn. broom corn, etc, which it will do
unless kept out at a broad distance.