Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-18

Agricultural exploration has resulted
i'm bringing 10 the attention OF Ameri-
can farmers large number of new
and valuable crops which have been per-
tected under seasonal and soil conditions
not altogether dissimilar from ours. and
vsIl5Ch makes these crops valuable for
cultivation in many sections of the
JEited states. Every farmer in the
south knows that at some period OF
TIE growing season a more or less
protracted spell Of dry weather de-
veIopS. This frequently occurs in mid
summer and interfereS. therefore, with
the proper growth and maturity OF hay
and forage crops. Naturally, the cut
ting down OF the hay crop is a matter
Of serious moment 10 every farmer who
i thus OF necessity forced 10 buy high
priced roughage for the maintenance
Of his work stock. Any crops, there
fore, which can be grown with great
er Certainty Of making a large yield
under unfayorable conditions are worthy
OF consideration. and il is for the pur-
pose OF calling the attention of our
readers to some new crops Of this char
acter that the present article has been
written.
The first OF these crops is known as
Feterita, and was imported 10 this
country from Egypt about 1907 Ii has
been grown more or less extensively
in the west since that time, and has
proven itself a wonderful drought re-
sister On this account il will prob
ably always be more valuable for cul-
aviation under the conditions prevail
ing in the southwest than in the south
east: vet il promises TO prove of value
for cultivation in the southeastern Sec
ton. and especially in the coastal plains
- las
sandy and dry weather seveyer on crops
on that account than in the Piedmont
section where clay soils predominant.
Feterita is kin TO the nOn-saccharine
sOrghums and resembles kafir corn in
many respects Ii natures in from
twenty 10 thirty days less time, how
ever, than kafir corn, and does not seem
10 be attacked as readily by chinch
bugs. and certainly seems TO possess
mush greater power Of drought re-
sistance. Under favorable conditions IL
makes a good yield Of grain and the
seed heads frequently weigh as much
as one pound. II is upright in its
habit OF growth. and should be planted
and cultivated just as kafir corn or
any OF the sacchrine sorghums with
which our farmers are already familiar.
OF course. it Will make a larger yield
on soil which has been carefully pre-
pared and fortified than on poor lands
About u 10 Is pounds of seed should
be planted per acre. seeding should not
he done until the ground is thoroughly
warm, and then rapid and clean culti-
walton should follow so as 10 promote
A vigorous growth and early maturity
Fetertta requires abouC the same time
in which 10 mature as the ordinary
sOrghUms. II seems likely to prove OF
more value for grain production than
as a hay or forage plant because of
the very considerable amount OF fiber
which the stalks contain The grain
heads may be pulled and preserved as
such. They can be threshed and the
grain used for. human food or for al
most any class OF 'live stocks The
grain is valuable as. food for swine
and is relished BY poultry 10 which II
can often be fed with excellent ad-
vintage. Farmers will do well TO test
out this new crop in a limited way dur
Ing the approaching summer.
Another crop to which attention may
be appropriately directed at this time Is
sudan grass. valuable as a forge and
catch crop and because of its ability
10 tilIer out or volunteer after being
cut, thereby making a. many as two
10 four cuttings in a favorable season.
Sudan grass quite strongly resembles
Johnson grass in general appearance,
and may therefore be confused with
this grass. which is 50 objectionable on
account OF the rhizon1es OF rootstOcks
which il develops. thereby making its
eradication very difficult. This grass,
like Feterita. comes from Egypt and
was first brought into the United States
In 1909. It does not live through the
winter except possibly in the rarest in
stances. Sudan grass is a tall, upright
growing plant with a loose, panicled
head. and tillers freely. 1t may be
sown broadcast or in drills When sOwn
rather thickIy il attains a height of
three to five feet, and has stems about
the size Of a lead pencil. II grown I'm
rows IL will attain a height OF six to
nine feet, and the stems are then much
larger and coaTser. This plant is more
leafy. and therefore "A better forage
plant than Johnson grass. Sudan grass
has not stoloniferous root. and hence
may be easily eradicated from the land.
In fact. IL must be regarded as an an
oral from the standpoint Of the farmer.
which uecessitates its being planted
every year. This grass should not be
planted until the ground is warm. II
should De sovn for sOiling purposes i'm
drills sixteen inches apart Rather