The Spectator., 1916-04-11
FORAGE CROPS sFoRARKANSAs

omfst, University of Arkansas.
 The sorghum family with its many groups and varieties has been intro duced into this country and developed because of the power to withstand dry weather, make large yields. and be- cause of the various uses It is grown for at least four distinct purposes for syrup. for hay and forage. for grain. and for brooms. Tho main uses iA Arkansas are for the hrst two. d. though growing some of the kinds for grain and brooms is done in . limited way The sorghums may be divided into two broad groups: First. sweet CT sAccharfne. or those which contain . large amount of juios rich in sugar. from which syrup 10 made; Second. non-saccharine or those which Ae not contain tho swsst tu1oss e the kAnrs aAA broom-oorn.
 Amber. orange. suznac CT rcd tep, honey or Japanese seeded, and Tsnas seeded ribbon arc the common var4e- ties of sweet sorghums grown. The amber is tho earliest and does no, make the yield that the others make. although if 1t ia grown carly 1t nay bs cut for nay twice during the season. Tho sumac. honey and Texas seeded ribbon are al later maturing and are usually used for syrup and whore large yields of forage CT silage is wanted. Texas seeded ribbon is ~ pecially prised for the large aMount of syrup that it produces.
 The method of planting varies with the use to which thess sorghuns are to be put For syrup the planting 10 done in rows 3S to A inches apart. using six to eight pounds of seed to the acre. The worN objection to sorghum for hay is the fAct that 1t is hard to cure. and that the stems arc coarse. This dificulty oan be slimi. mated to some extsnt by seeding thickly CT broadcasting about bushei of seed to the acrs. Cars1ul tests in Kansas showed that an acre of sor. ghum put up a silaSe made moro gains with beef animals than aA aore of corn used e silage
 Sudan grass. which has been intro. ducod within the last few yearo, and Johnson grass arc very closely reaat- sd. They win mix with each otAer end with the other sorghums. John son grass has large underground stems which enables it to spread and become . serious pest in many sections. Su- dan grass has nbrous roots like wheat CT corn. lives for only ono year and cannot become . pest. Sudan hes . broader leaf than Johnson grass and ths plant h moro eearss.
 Sudan promises ts bs one Of car good hay crops. It nakes three or fo1r cuttings during the season and if the harvesting k aens just e the seoD is heading out 1t makes . suasn. Atl feed. although not Q rich h mss ole making e eoWDoAs 0r el0vse About 70 pounds Of seed pr a@s broadcast, or ts pounds of sssA h rows % to 90 incAes wide, has bsea found ts bs the bsst amcunt
 Because of its persistent habit 1t is ssaAom advisable C seed Johnsoa grass on clean soii. bat on lands thak have already become infested fl can b naAs . most profitable crop. On strong soils the thres or four yearly cuttings win mako e much feed as any other crop.
 Kahr. milo, fsterita and shallu are al grown in . small way for grain and for forage although they arc not vssy satisfactory, especially in tho moro humid sections of the state. Many fields fail to make seed due to . condition commonly known a blight. which 10 caused by . small midgs - insect which lays its eGg in the flower tust as 1t opens. The egg hAtchss into . miniature worm which prevents the seed from forming. Birds also do . great deal or damage V picking out the seed. A . forage Uop this group 10 gsasraily inferior . fhs swsst aorghuna. y0fss11A is