Semi-weekly herald., 1914-05-14
applied to it.

iVf gram anu luraRe- IL mas rather
slender stems to feet high, which
are semi-juicy and slightly sweet be-
fore ripening and only fairly leafy.
The stems are of irregular height,
owing to its stooling aud branching
habit, which also results in some un-
evenness in maturity.
1t resembles milo in habit except
that the heads are uniformly erect
and the seeds are larger and softer
as well as blush white in color. The
seed tends to shatter if it is allowed
20 stand in the field until overripe.
1t is week earlier than Dwarf
milo and about three weeks earlier
than Blackhull kafr. In drought re-
sistance it compares favorably with
any sorghum yet introduced. During
the unfavorable seasons of 1912 and
1913 it matured good crop of seed
.nder conditions where Blackhull ka-
fir and Dwarf milo were almost COM
plete failures. Yields Of 80 to so
bushels per acre may be expected un.
der ordinary conditions in the kafiI
and milo region.
PLANTING.-Feterita should be
planted about the same time as the
other sorghums, perhaps three or
four weeks later than Indian corn.
1t is not well to plant too early, while
the ground is cold, since feteria is
naturally warm-weather plant, and
owing to the softness of the seed
there is apt to be considerable loss
through decay before termination
Difficulty in obtaining stand has
been experienced in some localities,
the poor stand probably being due
to planting in cold ground. In re-
gions affected by the sorghum midge,
very early paintings are recommend
ed. 1t may be planted either in a
furrow with the lister or surface
planted with the ordinary corn plant
or. The lister methods advised in
arid sections. Feterita should be plant
ed in rows the same distance apart
as Indian corn, about 36 to IA inches.
When thus planted 4 to G pounds
of seed per acre will be require
CULTIVATION-F -Feterita should be
cultivated much the same as Indian
corn. 1t may be given two or three
harrowings while the plants are
small, and as soon as sufficient
growth is made the crop should be
given a fairly deep and thorough
cultivation. Two or three subsequent
and shallower civilizations are desira-
low to avoid breaking the surface
feeding roots.
HARVESTING-For combined uti-
ization as forage an grain the crop
should be cut in the late dough stage.
When planted in rows, the crop can
best be handled with IA corn harves.
ter and put in shocks of 20 to 30
bushels each. II these shocks are al
lowed to stand for some time before
being headed it will allow more com
plete maturity of the heads arising
from the stools. Where the crop is
intended solely for grain, it should
be allowed to stand until the earliest
heads are fully mature; but it must
not be left until all the heads are
| ripe, else considerable seed will be lost
through shottering. Where the heads
are cut off in the field it is best
to pasture the remainder of the crop
Should the crop go down on account
| Of storm before it is harvested, il
can be utilized by pasturing with hogs
or cattle.
FEEDlNG.-The forage value OF
feterita is about equal to that of milo
For strictly forage purposes it is per
haps excelled by both the kafrs and
| the sweet sorghums. The heavy pro
| duction. of grain, however, makes il
| effective when fed in the bundle
heads and all, to work horses or stock
cattle. For fattening cattle or sheep
it can also be fed in this manner
with good results. 1t is not as valua,
BILE for dairy cows as for the above
classes of stock. For use MS silage il
will be found equal to any. of the sor-
ghums. As grain it will rank with
the kafirs and milos, 10 bushels OF
it being considered equal to Q bushels
of shelled Indian corn. The addition
of small amount Of cottonseed meal
or other concentrate high in fat will
greatly increase its effectiveness as
flesh producer.
SEED SELECTION.--In growing
this crop every farmer should max,
a practice of selecting seed for hii
own planting. This is extremely i'm
portant with feterita because it is
new crop, quite variable as yet, ant
also because, on account of its oper
glumes, natural crossing takes pIac,
oftencr than in other sorghums. SEED
selections should be made at dis
tance of 100 yards or more from othel
varieties. These selections are besi