The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1911-05-06
DRY FARM SORGHUM
Two Types Do Unusually Well in
Arid Regions.
Method Of Preparing Seed Bed Does
Not Differ Materially From That
Of Treating COMPLIANT 10
Sensitive to Cold.

SENSITIVE 10 Colo.
CBy n. r. PATTERSON, Montana Elk
pertinent Station)
There are two types of sorghum
that do unusually well in regions of a
light precipitation. The sweet or sac
charine sorghum is perhaps grown
more for its sugar content than for
forage purposes. The non-saccharine
Is known primarily as fodder sor-
ghum. Under this group we have the
milo maize and the kafiir corn. The
plant is very rank grower and
furnishes considerable feed. 1t grows
unusually well upon light soils and in
hot climates. However, 1t will do
better when grown upon the loan
and when supplied with sufficient
moisture.
The method Of preparing the seed
bed for sorghum does not differ ma
terially from the method Of preparing
the seed bed for corn. II the land is to
be plowed in the spring 1t must be
turned over to depth of about six or
seven inches. The land should then
be disked, narrowed once or twice,
when the seed may be sown. The
method of seeding and the amount Of
seed sown per acre will vary accord
Ing to the purpose of the crop.
II 1t is desirable to secure a crop Of
seed. we usually drill the seed in at
the rate Of six to seven pounds per
acre. The seed may be drilled either
with the common grain drill or with
the corn planter. Some farmers seem
to have secured better results by
drilling the sorghum in with the corn
planter, placing the rows about three
feet six inches apart and the seeds
from four to eight inches apart in the
row. A large amount of seed is used
when the grain is broadcasted. 1t is
customary to put in about fifteen
pounds per acre. OF course, this
amount will vary with the character
of the soil and season. II there is
any danger of any of the seeds rot.
ting, we should make allowance for
this and put on larger amount per
acre; also If some of the seeds do not
terminate 1t will mean that more
seeds must be used.
Sorghum is not sown until quite late
In the season or until the soil has
warmed up quite thoroughly The
plant is very tender and II the soil
happens to be very wet and cold the
seeds will not terminate, the young
plant will not grow.
: Best results have always been Sc
: cured by the use of fresh seed. The
seed loses its vitality very quickly and
II old seed Is used good results are
not always obtained. The amount o.
} seed will also vary according to tbs
amount Of moisture present In the
soil. II the crop Is to be grown upor
irrigated land we usually add abou
four pounds per acre to the amour
. given above. Upon irrigated land tn,
seed is also sown with a drill or witt
l broadcast seeder. II the sorghum
Is drilled in the subsequent care will
: be the same as that for corn, but |
1t is broadcasted 1t receives but littl,
/ care until time for harvest However
: narrowing Immediately after seeding
: and just as the grass comes through
: the soil has been known to give goo,
3 results. This will keep down tn
. weeds and will also aid in forming
. mulch over the surface. which will pre-
serve the moisture. Sorghum Is quic
growing plant and as was mentions
before, furnishes great deal of foe
A der.
/ If forage crop Is to be secured
n the grain should be cut before the flu
9 blooming period is reached. But on
Y crop is secured In season. Tn
# binder or the mower may be used /
i, removing the crop. The grass whe
d cut with the mower should be Above
J. to cure and then should be placed l
i. small cocks or piles. This will perm
# of its thorough drying and curin
' The crop, If cut with the binder,
handled In much the same way as
the small grains. To secure Gro
of seed we must not harvest until til
. grain Is In the milk or early dough
stage. The plant is used almost e
= clusively to secure the crop of see
= The bundles are placed in shocks ar
y allowed to dry. when they al
: threshed with the common thre shir
y machine. 1t is not customary to 9
70 low the entire bundle to pass throus
II the thresher, but to thrust the hea,
+ into the cylinder and then remove Il
u other portions. This will not bres
up the stalks and as resi-
some good fodder may be obtained.
The yields from sorghum vary fro
e ten to ninety bushels per acre, Il
y average being about forty-fve bushe
Of As high as Is tons of fodder has al
to been secured from this crop In 4
Dr. arid regions.
~ Powdery Mildew.