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Show ONE OF STAPLE CROPS Sudan Grass Has Entirely Passed Experimental Stage. Of Especial Value In Semiarid Regions on Account of Its Drought-Resistant Qualities Superior Catch Crop. (By DAVID B. OLARKSON, Robslown. Tt-xas.) Sudan grass has now entirely passed the experimental stage, and has shown itself worthy of a place among the great staple crops of America. From bulletins issued by the department depart-ment of agriculture of the United States and by experiment stations in various states, the following facts regarding re-garding Sudan grass may be stated with authority: It is the progenitor of the sorghum family. In appearance it resembles Johnson grass, but it lacks the root stalks and therefore never can become a pest. It is the equal if not the superior, su-perior, of all other forage -crops in feeding value. It has a special value as a drought-resistant. It possesses remarkable re-markable vitality, and will grow and thrive in the face of the most adverse circumstances. On dairy farms it can be fed as a substitute for alfalfa, without with-out a loss in tonnage. It has been shown that this method of dairy farming farm-ing has resulted In better health for the animals, on account of the greater variety of food. It can be grown in all sections of the United States, excepting ex-cepting where the altitude is very high or where the climate is exceedingly humid. It has been experimented with successfully as far north as Alberta. On account of its rapid growth it probably prob-ably has no superior as a catch crop. From seeding to the first crop 75 to 80 days are necessary. The second cutting cut-ting comes on about 45 days after the first, and the third is likely to take a little longer 50 to 55 days. In the extreme ex-treme South as many as four cuttings a season have been secured. Sudan grass yields an average of 300 pounds of seed to the acre. Sudan grass fits well into most any crop rotation or cropping system practiced prac-ticed in this country. Planted in the spring, it produces from two to four crops and is killed by the first freeze of winter. It makes intensive farming an easy possibility where it has hith. erto not been practiced. It thus in creases the possibilities of this country coun-try for a large population. It produces an average of possibly four tons of hay to the acre. For this reason our Sudan grass is an ideal crop for the alfalfa-growing sections of the United States. To sum up, Sudan grass means much to the nation, because it will augment the supply of live stock and livestock live-stock products; more horses, mules beef cattle, sheep and goats; more milk and butter. Thus the nation's food supply will be increased, working advantage both to the buyer in the city and the seller in the country. |