The Paonia newspaper., 1911-04-28


pertinent Station)
There are two types Of sorghum
that do unusually we'll In regions of
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 kaffir 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.
IL II 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. It 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 a larger amount per
acre; also II some OF the seeds do not
germinate 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 germinate. 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 OF
seed will also vary according to the
amount Of moisture present In the
soil. II the crop is to be grown upon
irrigated land we usually add about
four pounds per acre to the amount
given above. Upon irrigated land the
seed is also sown with drill or with
a broadcast seeder. II the sorghum
is drilled In the subsequent care will
be the same as that for corn. but II
It is broadcasted II receives but little
care until time for harvest However.
narrowing Immediately after seeding
and just as the grass comes through
the soil has been known to give good
results. This will keep down the
weeds and will also aid in forming a
mulch over the surface. which win pre-
serve the moisture. Sorghum is a quick
growing plant and as was mentioned
before, furnishes a great deal Of fod-
der.
II forage crop is TO be secured.
the grain should be cut before the full
blooming period is reached. But one
crop is secured in a season. The
binder or the mower may be used In
removing the crop. The grass when
cut with the mower should be allowed