The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-23
KAFIR CORN
And INDIAN
Oklahoma Farmers Have a
Great Variety Of Crops.
TO DIVERSITY FARMING
Certain Soil Is Best for the
South African Seed.

saltwater, o. T, March. 22-The Ok
lahoma Agriculture Seperiment Station
has issued Press Bulletin No lO6 touch
ing in the comparative yields of Kafer
and Indian corn. 1t follows in part:
Oklahoma farmers are fortunate in haV-
ing at their disposal a large variety OF
crops from which selections can be made
TO suit any locality or particular line Of
farming When commencing TO plan for
the various crops which are to be plant
ed on the different fields Of the farm II
is important that the characteristics OF
the crops that are to be selected be con-
sidered Plants, like animals, have in
herent qualities and these qualities have
TO be taken into account when it is con-
templated TO place certain plant with
in a given environment or use special
breed for a special purpose. No intel
Hgent farmer would think for moment
of placing a large herd OF Jersey cows on
his ranch and expect to produce first
class beef cattle for the market He
voudI select cows from the list of beef
breeds taking those individuals which are
mate and soil are determining factors in
such a choice. In northern sections
where the winters are somewhat severe
and pastures furnish a scanty fare, the
shaggy black with his thick coat and long
hair is well fitted to Withstand such
treatment while in other sections greater
success would be attained if the roans
Or white-faced cattle were selected. The
qualities that are characteristic Of these
breedS,were not taken on in a single year,
but became fixed in the course Of many
decades throug the patient work of the
breeder who labored continually with a
definite purpose in view.
Since care and judgment must be exer-
cised in the selection Of breeding stock in
order to gain a certain end, the selection
OF crops demands as much if not greater
attention where the highest standard is
to be reached. In the semi-aria sections
of the west farmers do not pretend to cul-
tivate the red clover plant because they
already have~at hand that king Of for
age plants alfalfa, which is so wei
adapted to the soil and climate of this
country. It is true that plants can be
placed under conditions that are not
congeniaI and by persistent effort the
habits Of the plant may be so changed
that it viii thrive under such surround
3ngs In other words it might be said
that the plant had acquired certain quail
ties which enable it to adapt itself to the
changed conditions. The question that
arises however. is one of expendiency.
VIII It not pay to give attention almost
exclusively to the Improvement of those
plants which are at the present time best
adapted to our peculiar needs?
In making a comparison Of the yields
of Kafir corn and Indian corn which
have been obtained within the past four
years II IS advisable to consider not only
the character Of the soil and season. but
also the adaptation Of these crops to Ok
1ahoma conditions. Kafir corn is a na-
tive Of South Africa Prior to its in
PRODUCTION into America the plant was
cultivated in places where the climate is
hot and dry. Thus Kafir corn has ac-
uuired certain qualities which enable it
to overcome adverse conditions such as
periods of prolonged drouth or exces- .
Eiveiy hot weather These qualities which I.
az SO advantageous have become more .
Intensified as the plants has been in 1
trOduced and grown in those portions Of .
the country where adverse conditions are .
met Kafir corn grows best on rich mel
low soils. bat at the same time good
crops can be raised on medium and up
land soils where the supply of plant food
is not as abundant as in bottom lands.
Indian corn Is Indigenous TO America .
and appears to thrive best o nthose sec
tions Of the country where the July tenn
perature ranges between 20 and 80 de-
srecs r. Rainfall affects the yield to quite
3 marked extent, and in the semi-arid
districts high yields are not certain unless
irrigation is resorted TO. Average upland
soils in Oklahoma are not especially
adapted 70 the growth of Indian corn
During favorable seasons good yields can
be expected from fields Of this descrip-
tion. but past experience would lead one
t. form the opinion that the season can
not be depended upon. Consequently. it
would he wisdom TO plant the crop that
Will invariably give fair return In ok
lahoma there are large areas Of farm
land that belong 10 the class lust de-
scribed and many farmers are eudeavorin-
70 raise Indian corn on such land. Their
attention may have not have been directed
q the fact that greater profits can 10
occurred 10y growing Kafir corn on~thfs
type of soil