Imperial press and farmer., 1901-12-07
Value for Forage

sorghum for soiling purposes. lt is not only m excellent forage for growing animals and those which are being prepared for market. but is one of the best feeds that can be used during the summer and early autumn for dairy cattle on account of the large flow Of excellent milk which it induces
 In many dnirying and stock raising communities one of the most critical periods of the year Is that of the dry season during July. August and Sep tcmber At this time the pastuTage is often insufficient for the stock. and great difficulty is experienced tn grow. Ing enough early fodder to keep the animals In thrifty condition Sor. ghum on account of It's drought on. during qualities and ready adaptabll ity to varying conditions of soil and climate as well as because of its feeding value. is one of the best crops that can be grown for this purpose. But a judiclous selection of early and late varieties or by planting several fields at different times a succession of crops can be had. each of which will be in It's prime when wanted Whatever surplus there may be can be cured for winter feed
 Sorghum may be fed green to all kinds of stock. even 10 poultry. with very profitable results full feed should not be given at first. partlcu larly If the animals are hungry IL Is a good practice to give first a light feed of grain or other food and then a small amount of the sorghum The latter may be increased each day until a full feed is reached Fresh sorghum is a very succulent forage and like clover. Ia liable to cause boating when fed in too large quan titles at first. With ordinary precau. tions no trouble from this source need be feared.
 As n Pasture Plant.-Sorghum may be used to advantage as summer pas. turage for all kinds Of stock. and 1t is especially satisfactory for sheep and hogs. IL Is claimed that 1t makes better pasture than alfalfa for fat tening hogs Many correspondents rec. ommend IL highly for pasturage for lambs At the Arkansas Station IL gave excellent results in hog pas lures. used In connection with clover and Spanish peanuts to give n sue cession of fresh feed for the season.
 For this purpose sorghum should he sown or drilled thickly and the land left as smooth as possible Sev. eral fields should be sown at differ ent times. so that a succession of forage may be had. and as soon as one field is pastured off they may be turned on .e next. and SO on through the whole series. By the time the last Is fed down the first will be ready again. In California the first crop Is often cut for hay or soiling. Stock Is then turned on the field and the sub. sequent growth is pastured on. This Is done on ground that is following for wheat the coming season. and the farmers maintain that the land is left in better condition than If nothing had been grown upon it. The blow ing and narrowing necessary in put. ting in the crop give the required cul. tivation. while the droppings from the stock fertiize the soil.
 Care should be taken not to allow the stock to have too much of the sorghum at first. After the animals have been fed in the morning they may be turned on the sorghum for a short tune and this practice kept up until they have become used to the forage. It is thought by many farmers that serious trouble is more likely to re. suit when the animals are allowed to feed on the sorghum early in the morning while it is wet with dew,