Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-05-26
farmr aud firesiae.
SORGHUM.

SORGHUM.
Both saccharine and non-saccharine
sorghum occupies a prominent place
among these crops. A few years ago
this crop was planted principally for
syrup, but there is scarcely farm to-
day which has not its sorghum patch
for green forage during the summer,
and on many places it is planted quite
extensively for soiling, for pasturing
and for ensilage. 1t will stand long
spell of dry weather which would ruin
corn, and although in a drouth its
growth may be somewhat checked, it
will remain green and fresh, and when
the rains begin, will Immediately re-
cover and 90 on to perfect develop.
ment. 1t is not yet too late to
put in a crop of sorghum, and we
would advise every farmer who ap-
prehends a short corn crop to sup
plement it with this, its natural
complement. The seed may be either
drilled in after such preparation of
the land as for corn or cotton, or they
may be sown broadcast, and if peas
are broadcast at the same time, the re.
suit is a splendid hay, the muscle
forming elements of the peas combin-
ing with the fat-forming elements of
the sorghum to complete better bal
anced feeding ration than either crop
would furnish alone. The Amber va
rieties are the most popular for this
purpose. 1t stands up we'll, is hardy,
quick growing and maturing and well
seeded. At first its growth is appa-
rently slow, and care must be exer-
cised to protect the little plants from
the encroachments of weed and grass |;
but owing to it's strong and deep root
system, once it gets a start, it will
successfully distance all competitors
and obtain complete possession of the
land. 1t is owing to this deep root
system that good crops of sorghum
may often be obtained from land ap.
parently too poor to produce paying
corn crops. The principal elements
required for its successful growth are
potash, phosphoric acid and nitrogen !;
but it should be noted that it requires
a comparatively small amount of the
last expensive material. If drilled,
the plants should be crowded and
cultivated in the early stages to keep
down the foreign growth. If allowed
too much distance, they are apt to
develop too large and coarse for sue
cessful feeding. If broadcast with
peas for cutting or pasturage, about
three pecks to one bushel per acre OF
each will be sufficient. Under favora-
BILE conditions, two, three and even four
cuttings have been obtained. After
the last cutting, the field should be
Immediately plowed, or the heavy
roots may interfere with the cultiva-
ton of other crops. Experience has
shown that if the land is plowed soon
after the crop is taken off, it is left in
excellent condition for corn, cotton
and other surface feeding crops. The
time for cutting varies with the pur-
pose for which the crop is to be used.
If for soiliug, the cutting should begin
as soon as the heads are well formed.
1t is in the best stage when the seeds
are about half ripe. When intended
for hay, it is best to cut when the sor-
ghum is in bloom. For ensilage, cut
when the seed is in the "dough." A
popular plan for pasturing is to have
several fields or patches sown at sue
cessive periods. BY this method, as
soon as one field is finished, the stock
may be turned on the next, and SO on
through the whole series. By the time
the last has been eaten down, the Sec
ond crop will have sprung up on the
first field, and the rotation may be
continued second or third time.
INJURIOUS EFFECTS ON STOCK.
In regard to the injurious effects of
sorghum on stock, we remark that it
is not the sorghum, but the condition
of the animal and the manner of feed
ing which cause the trouble. A hun
CRY animal allowed to gorge itself on
clover or any other green food, would
suffer the same consequences. Neither
should full feed be given at first,
until the animal has become accus-
toned to the change in diet. The
ration may be combined in the begin.
ming with grain or other dry food, and
gradually increased each day until a
moderately full feed may be taken
without injury. In pasturing wait
until the dew is off and turn the stock
on towards the middle of the day, al
lowing them to remain on only short
time at first, gradually increasing
length of time as they become accus-
toned to the change of food. With
such precautions, we have never seen
any ill consequences from feeding sue
cessive growths of this crop.-South-
ern Cultivator.
To KILL JOHNSON GRAss.-The