The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-11-28
FOOD CROP FOR BARREN REGION
Raising of Kafir Corn VIII Render
Fertile Arid Western Tracts.

new industry, which is expected to
have great development during 1898,
and which will add largely to the agri-
cultural resources of the arid region OF
western Kansas. Nebraska and Okla
homa, once reckOned almost part or the
great American desert. is the raising OF
kaffir corn. kaffir, as its name suggests,
is Of African origin, and is a substitute
for both corn and wheat. For two or
three years past the department OF agrl-
culture has been experimenting WIN II;
and it has been found peculiarly adapted
to the drouth-stricken region OF the
west. where a crop of Indian corn can
not be realized oftener than once in three
years on the average. kat1r, IL Is
claimed fiourisheS best where there is
least rainfall, and the seven plaques OF
Kansas-drought, sand, alkall, hot winds,
transformers, cinch bugs and fake rain
makers-will be alike powerless TO afrect
it. If all that the advocates OF the new
cereal claim for it proves true, 1t Will
prove a boon. indeed, to the dry district,
and may even drive out It's eighth ana
greatest plague-the mortgage holders.
In appearance, kaffir seems TO be
cross between corn and sorghum. It's sea-
son for growth is about the same as lhat
of native corn, and it is cultivated in
much the same manner. The stalks grow
to a height of from four to six feet and
are about the size and thickness OF ordl-
nary corn stalks. The stalks bear more
leaves than those of Indian corn. how
ever, and these leaves are broader, long
er and of a deeper color. The grain
grows at the top of the stalk and the
kernels, which are unprotected by husks,
are considerable. smaller than those OF
the native product and of dark pur-
plish hue. These seeds, or kernels, are
very hard and firm, and in grinding them
there IS little waste on account of the
thinness of the hull bushel of the
grain weighs SO pounds, the same as
/ wheat. but when groung it requires six
or seven pounds more OF wheat to make
an eCual amount of flour Though the
new grain is not well enough established
to determine its average yield per acre, 1t
is believed that in this respect also 1t Will
hare a considerable advantage over
wheat.
The one objection which has thus far
prevented the cultivation of kaffir from
reaching any considerable proportions
has been the iAvnility of existing mills
to grind it into flour suitable for making
bread. Many Kansas farmers and a lew
in Oklahoma raised little OF the new
grain as an experiment during the past
season But when they took 1t to the To-
cal mills most of which are equipped
for the old burr process OF grinding. the
result was found unsatisfactory, as the
-four, though excellent for cattle, was
not ground fine enough for house use
/ To overcome this difficulty two or three
of the men, who are interested in eStab-
fishing kaffir as staple cereal, went to
! Chicago, where a series of experiments
! with different kinds of machinery was
! carried on.
/ of roller machinery worked satisfactorily
/ in reducing the new grain and turned it
I into flour winter and of finer quality than
/ that obtained from wheat. a mill at
Marquette. Kan, has already been
equipped with the new machinery, and is
doing a lively business in grinding kafir
( flour. 1t is announced that big mil;
/ specially equipped for this work. will
be erected in Chicago, and will soon be
ready for operation.
The flour made from katfir has been
examined and pronounced as nutritious
as wheat or corn. The bread made from
it is as light and as agreeable to the
taste as the best wheat bread. 1t is
claimed that the new kind Of flour will
answer every purpose to fulfill which In
dian corn and wheat are now relied on
! The prospects of the new grain seem
very bright, and if it endures the test, OF
q year or two of trial we may expect to
see its cultivation extensively adopted, al
least in the region WHARF rain is an in
FREQUENT and uncertain luxury and disap-
pointnent is often the lot of the farmer
! who relies upon the two great American
! stainless