The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-08
SUDAN GRASS.
Clemson College Extension Work
South Carolina Experiment Station.
Press Bulletin No. 129.
(W. L. Hutchinson.)

(W. l.. Hutchinson.)
Apparently the farmers Of South
Carolina are becoming more interest
ed in the hay crop. The growing Of
alfalfa, the best Of hay plants, is be.
ing exploited. Interest is manifested
in oats and vetch. winter season
hay crop. Moreover. many Of the
farmers Of the State still have the bad
practice of pulling fodder, an un-
profitable business.
Sudan grass, perhaps the original
form of sorghum, is a promising hay
plant. The stems are much finer than
sorghum and hence it cures quicker.
1t he's shorter period of growth,
maturing crop in about six weeks.
This quick growth makes it particular.
ly valuable both for an early crop
Of hay and for a good yield when
sown late in the season. This quality
makes it valuable to SOW after oats,
as it will mature good crop of hay
NIT good preparation of the land for
the early planting of any fall crops.
AS it cures quickly, there is less dan.
ger of serious damage b. rain.
Sudan grass Is an annual and grows
during the summer season. 1t does
not become weed, as is the case with
Johnson grass. The seed weigh about
thirty-two pounds to the bushel and
for sowing broadcast for hay, about
one and a half bushels should be
sOwn to the acre. For growing a seed
crop, it is best to plant in drills. Five
to ten pounds of seed to the acre will
be sufficient for a good stand. When
planted in drills. one or two cultiva.
tions should be given. but the drills
should be just as close as will per-
NIT easy tillage.
Sudan grass grows from three to
five feet tall and the stems have
abundant leaves. 1t is hardy and it
is very easy to get a good stand. 1t
seeds abundantly 80 that when gener-
ally grown the seed will be cheap.
Sudan grass should make a more
attractive market hay than the plants
that are being grown ut present. 1t
may be fed to all kinds Of live stock
and the animals are fond Of it. Evi.
dently this plant, recent importation
Of the United States Department Of
Agriculture, will be a valuable addi
ton to most Of the farms in the State
It may lessen and even stop the un-
profitable practice Of pulling fodder.
The planting season is very long, ex-
tending from corn planting time till
August.
1t will be noted that Sudan grass
has many desirable qualities as a hay.
It grows rapidly, giving a good yield
Of hay in a short time. A good stand
is easily secured and the cost Of
seeding small. The stems being fine,
it cures quickly, lessening the risk Of
injury from exposure to the weather.
The abundance Of leaves gives hay OF
excellent quality relished by all kinds
of stock. There is q season Of sew
cral months in which to find q con-
venient time to grow it and in this
way it can be made to supplement
our standard crops rather than COM
pete with them. Its qualities recon- /.
mend it as a market hay as well as a
good hay for the farm.
The seed are not plentiful as yet,
but five pounds to start with would
soon provide all the seed farm would
| need.
This plant may be grown on the
soils of South Carolina just as they
are. You DO not have to make the
soils over in order to grow it. Neither
lining nor incubation is necessary to
success. IT is just as easy to grow
as any of the crops that we now pro-
duce. The seed are about the size Of
sorghum seed and may be planted
about the same depth. A corn plant
er with a sorghum plate may be used
for planting in the drill. When sown
with harrow.