A320-1119—1OM-L TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS W. B. BIZZELL, President BULLETIN NO. 253 NOVEMBER, 1919 O Report of Experiments at Slibstation, No. IZ, Chillicothe, Texas jmilliilfil.“ ' B. YOUNGBLOOD, Dnuzcwon COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS STATION STAFF? ADMINISTRATION B. YOUNGBLOOD, M. S., Director A. B. CONNER, B. S., Vice Director J. M. JoNEs, A. M.. Assistant Director Ctus. A. FELKER, Chief Clerk A. S. WARE, Secretary .............................. .., Executive Assistant CHARLES Sosoux, Technical Assistant VETERINARY SCIENCE *M. FRANCIS, D. V. M., Chief H. SCHMIDT. V. S., Veterinarian D. H. BENNETT, V. M. D., Veterinarian CHEMISTRY . S. FBAPS. Ph.. D., Chief; Stale Chemist S. E. Asnunv. M. S., Assistant Chemist S. LOMANITZ, B. S.. Assistant Chemist i‘. B. SMITH. B. S., Assistant Chemist L. C1 B. ScnILLmc. Assistant Chemist E. EYEn, B. S., Assistant Chemist HORTICULTURE H NEss, M. S.. Chief W. S. Horcnuiss, Horticulturist ANIMAL INDUSTRY J. M. JQNEs, A. M., Chief; Sheep and Goat Investigations 1J. C. Bonus. B. S., Animal Hiisbandman in Charge of Beef Cattle I nvestigalions (on leave) . . B. McNULTY, B. S.. Dairyman R. M. SH”RWOOD, B. S., Poultryman O. E. McCoNNELL, B. S., Animal Husband- man in Charge of Swine Investigations G. R. WARREN, B. S., Assistant Animal Hiisbandman ENTOMOLOGY M. C. TANQUARY, Ph. D., Chief; State Ento mologist H. J. REiNnAnn, B. S.. Entomologist H. B. PARKS, B. S., Apiculturist m, Assistant Entomologist AGRONOMY A. B. CONNER, B. S., Chief A. H. LEXDIGH, B. S., Agronomist E. \V. GEYER, B. S., Agronomist H. H. LAUDE, M. S., Agronomist PLANT PATHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY J. J. TAUBENHAUS, Ph. D., hief FEED CONTROL SERVICE F. D. FULLFR, M. S., Chief JAMES SULLIVAN, Executive Secretary FORESTRY ‘ E. O. SIECKE, B. S.. Chief; State Forester PLANT BREEDING E. P. HUMBERT, Ph. D., Chief FARM AND RANCH ECONOMICS H. M. Euor, M. A., Chief SOIL SURVEY **W. T. CARTER. Jn., B. S., Chief J. F. S-rnoup, Soil Surveyor T. M. BUSHNELL. B. S., Soil Surveyor R. G. BREWER, B. S., Assistant Animal Hus- w_ B_ FRANCIS, B_ s“ soil Surveyor banaman SUBSTATIONS No. 1. Beeville, Bee County No. 8. Lubbock, Lubbock County I. E. CCWART, M. S., Superintendent Troup, Smith County S. Horcmuss, Superintendent Angleton, Brazoria County B. REYNOLDS, M. S., Superintendent . Beaumont, Jefierson County A. H. PRINCE, B. S., Superintendent" Temple, Bell County _ T. KILLOUGH, B. S., Superintendent I-No. 6. Danton, Denton County _ C. H. MCDOWELL, B. S., Superintendent No. 7. Spur, Dickens County _ R. E. DICKSON, B. S., Superintendent TAs of November 1, 19 R. E. KAHPER, B. S., Superintendent D. L. JoNEs, Scientific Assistant No. 9. Pecos, Reeves County J. W. JACKSON, B. S., Superintendent No..10. (Feeding and Breeding Substation), College Station, Brazos County J. W. LUKER, B_ S., Superintendent L. Iscnv, Scientific Assistant No. l1. Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County G. T. McNEss, Superintenaent **No. 12. Chillicothe, Hardeman County A. B. CRON, B. S Su erintendent V. E. HAFNEH, B. S., cientific Assistant No. 14. Sonora, Sutton-Edwards Countlel E. M. PETERS, B. S., Superintendent 19. *In cooperation with the School of Veterinary Medicine, A. & M. College of Texas. "In cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. ‘ IIn cooperation with School of Agriculture, A. 8t M. College of Texas. CONTENTS . Page Soil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Meteorological» Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sorghums - . . . . . . . . . . . f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Description of Varieties of Grain Sorghums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Seed Yields of Varieties of Grain Sorghums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15 Description of Varieties of Forage Sorghums-—Sorgos . . . . . . . . 15 Forage Yields of Varieties of Sorghums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Rate of Planting Sorghums in Rows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 ~ Rate of Seeding Sorghums in Close Drills or Broadcast . . . . . . . 21 Date of Planting Sorghums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23 Sudan Grass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 24 Soy Beans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25 Cowpeas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26 Description of Varieties of Cowpeas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Peanuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27 Miscellaneous Annual Legumes. . . . ._ . . . . . . . . .\ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 [Blank Page in Original Bulletin] BULLETIN 253. NOVEMBER, 1919. REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS AT SUBSTATION NO. 12, CHILLICOTHE, TEXAST a BY R. W. EDWARDS, B. S., SUPERINTENDPJNTFR 1n cooperation with : The Office of Forage Crop lnvestigations, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. U. Beginning in 1905, experiments mainly with forage crops have been conducted continuously at Ohillicothe. Until 1915 this Work was car- ried on at the Chillicothe Field Station on land leaased for this purpose by the United States Department of Agriculture. This Station is now located on land owned by the State of Texas, and is a part of the Tex'as Agricultural Experiment Station. The Substation is located on a tract of 100 acres of land five miles southwest of Chillicothe, in Hardeman County. The conduct of this Station always has been carried on co— operatively by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, and much of the expense of the work of this Station during the period covered by this bulletin has been borne by the United States Department of Agriculture. Previous publications of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station relating to the work done at Substation No. 12 are Bulletins No. 13'?’ on Alfalfa, and 202, Progress Report. Texas Substation No. 12 came into existence as such in January, 1916. At this time a tract of one hundred acre-s of land located five miles southwest of Chillicothe, Hardeman county, was purchased by the State of Texas. Previous to this (1905-1915) experiments mainly with forage crops had been conducted at the Chillicothe Field Station on land leased for this purpose by the United States Department of Agriculture. During the entire period the work has been carried on co- operatively between the United States Department of Agriculture and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. _ On September 1, 1916, funds appropriated by the Texas Legislature for the purpose of permanent improvements on the new Station became available. Since that date the farmstead has been rearranged, graded, filled and leveled where necessary, five new buildings have been con- structed, fences built, and a water system installed. A comparison of Figure No. 1 with Figure No. 2 shows what progress has been made along these lines. At the same time the scope of the Substation in- vestigational work has been broadened to include work with cotton, corn, small grain, garden and other crops of interest to this locality. This T1915-1917. *Resigned March 31, 1918. Fig. 1. Substation Buildings and Farmstead in 1916. 's8un>nna 3UIPPV Pa’? 31111990111921 J91}? LIGI u! p1galsm-md PU? Sgulpllnfl 'Z 3M1 REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS AT SUBSTATION N0. 12. 8 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. newer work just g-etting under way at the time this report is submitted will be reported upon in succeeding publications. The incentive for" experiment work with forage crops at Chillicothe was, primarily, the finding of varieties which possessed unusual drouth resistance, and the selection and improvement of these varieties. Crops belonging to the sorghum family are considered best adapted to the successful production of forage in this region and have been given first attention. A secondary consideration was the finding of some legumin- ous crop which could be utilized both as a forage and for its fertilizing effects upon the soil. During the thirteen years’ work at this point, no less than fifteen hundred varieties and selections of plants belonging to the sorghum family have been grown in trial plats. Naturally out of this large num- ber only a few have been found of sufficient value to take the place of common varieties so generally grown by farmers in this section of the country. It has been the policy of the Station to test each variety or selection through several seasons before either discarding it or advocating its adoption by farmers. Some new plants, of course, may be discarded after one trial, while it is difficult to determine the value of others even after they have been grown for several years. In addition to the sorghums, a large number of varieties of millet, annual legumes, perennial grasses, and alfalfa have been tested. At- tempts have also been made to find by detailed experiments the best rate, date, and method of planting the crops. This is especially important for new varieties. Approved methods of cultivation have been employed. In a previous report (Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Bul- letin No. 202) the work of this Station is summarized for the period from 1905 to 1914, inclusive. The present publication is intended chiefly as a report on experiment data secured since 1914. Many of the experiments, however, have been conducted through a much longer period of years and summaries here given will cover available data in an endeavor to present long-time average results. SOIL. The soil on the Substation is a mixed sandy loam quite uniform in character throughout the field used for plat tests. It is very repre- sentative of a considerable portion of the land in this and the surround- ing counties, It is what might be termed a “happy medium” between the very sandy soil on the one hand and the so-called “tight land” on the other. Both of these extreme types of soil are found within a very few miles of the Station. The sandy soil is well adapted to the pro- duction of corn, cotton, sorghums, and cowpeas, while the “tight land” is found more suited to the raising of wheat, although the sorghums and cotton are both extensively grown upon it. Soil like that on the Substation is suitable for the production of any of the crops which are adapted to this region. ' METEOROLOGICAL DATA. The climatic conditions in this region have a direct bearing on crop production. The rainfall and its distribution is probably the most im- REPORT or EXPERIMENTS AT SUBSTATION N0. 12. 9 portant of all climatic factors. The temperature and the dryness of the air are likewise influencing factors. In table I is given the monthly and annual precipitation as recorded at the Substation for the years-1906 to 1917, inclusive. Table 1.—-Monthly and annual precipitation from 1906 to 1917, inclusive, with monthly and yearly averages. Year. Jan. Feb. Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total 1906 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .00 .00 .90 3.92 1.78 4.20 8.71 2.67 5.02 4.58 T .99 31.78 1907 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .00 .00 3.42 .98 7.81 2.58 1.46 1.52 1.71 6.60 .80 .00 26.88 1908 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. T T .28 3.51 6.40 8.41 5.68 T 2.22 1.84 4.13 T 32.47 1909 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .00 .22 1.89 1.41 .56 8.06 .49 1.07 .26 1.84 4.57 .00 20.37 1910 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .64 .08 1.08 1.39 2.74 1.91 1.42 1.74 1.22 1.30 .14 .53 14.19 1911 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .10 3.89 .12 1.80 1.53 .06 3.35 3.41 3.04 .81 .60 5.07 23.78 1912 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .00 1.86 3.22 1.82 .53 4.69 1.39 3.05 2.92 2.73 .08 .34 22.63 1913 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .35 1.90 1.32 1.77 1.01 2.33 .29 .05 4.21 4.71 2.79 5.51 26.24 1914 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. T .30 1.68 2.40 6.16 1.67 1.76 8.47 1.04 1.44 .41 1.28 26.61 1915 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .34 1.88 1.22 5.13 2.15 56.71 4.07 3.73 3.83 5.07 .15 .53 34.81 1916 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.00 T 1.48 3.62 1.02 1.17 .48 1.19 1.77 3.06 1.53 .02 16.34 1917 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .20 .30 .30 .73 2.33 .34 4.05 1.11 2.06 .35 .82 T 12.59 Average . . . . .. .22 .87 1.41 2.37 2.84 3.51 2.76 2.33 2.44 2.86 1.34 114 24 09 The average annual rainfall is 24.09 inches, but the yearly to-tals are seen to vary between the extreme of 12.59 inches in 1917 and 34.81 in 1915. The two extremes of rainfall occurred during the three years under consideration in this report, while the remaining year of the three had a precipitation below the normal, but as it followed a wet year it approached an average crop season. The results presented here should be considered very conservative for this region. ' The distribution of the rainfall is frequently of as much importance as the total amount. For example, heavy downpours are usually ac- companied by excessive run-off before there is time for the moisture to soak in. On the other hand, numerous very light showers may occur, the moisture of which evaporates without reaching the plant roots. Often, an abundance of rain may occur during one portion of a year while another portion will be very dry. Thus while rainfall may be consid- ered the limiting "factor of production in this region the monthly and _ annual totals are not necessarily a complete index to the crop produc- tion possibilities of the season. The maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures for each month of the past five years are shown in the following table: Table 2.—-Monthly Maximum, Minimum, and Mean Temperatures; 1913 to 11917. Degrees Fahrenheit. . 5 Yr. Annual Mo. 1913 1914 1915 19.16 1917 ———— Extreme Mean Max. Min. Mean Max. Min Mean Max Min. Mean Max. Min. Mean Max. Min. Mean Max. Min. Jan.. . 76 0 39 84 17 47 71 17 38 75 3 37 79 7 41 84 0 40 Feb.. . 77 12 36 74 3 39 76 24 46 79 12 45 94 8 41 94 a 3 41 Mar. . 86 17 47 86 18 51 85 20 41 97 16 57 92 13 53 97 13 50 April. 99 30 62 97 29 61 91 32 63 89 30 58 93 32 61 99 29 61 May. . 101 44 74 93 45 68 93 39 68 100 41 72 99 38 65 101 38 69 June. . 100 56 77 102 61 81 102 52 78 105 54 80 107 45 80 107 45 79 July. . 107 64 85 109 65 85 101 56 81 109 63 84 107 63 85 109 56 84 Aug. . 106 59 87 100 60 79 99 48 76 104 53 84 103 49 81 106 48 81 Sept. . 101 45 72 95 45 74 99 51 75 97 38 73 98 46 75 101 38 74 Oct.. . 87 25 59 91 28 62 89 38 63 89 31 60 98 21 59 98 21 61 Nov. . 79 33 56 81 20 54 85 22 55 83 14 48 80 31 54 85 14 53 Dec. 67 15 39 57 6 33 77 20 46 81 8 39 80 5 34 81 5 38 1O TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. As will be seen in the table the winter temperatures do not usually fall below zero. Summer temperatures are relatively high, and thus plants requiring much heat, as, for instance, cotton and certain sor- ghums, which are more or less subtropical in their nature, reach matu- rity with certainty. These high temperatures are moderated somewhat by the dryness of the air. Rather dry atmosphere is not detrimental to such crops as sorghum and cotton, but it does have an adverse effect on corn, soy beans, and other crops which require a more humid atmos- phere for their maximum production. SORGHUMS. A very large number of sorghum varieties and types have been tested. It seems desirable to give here a brief description of the habit of growth and characteristics of several of the more important varieties tested. It should be borne in mind that the descriptive matter is presented so as to familiarize the reader with the varieties and not as a recommendation of any particular variety. Following the description, tabular matter is presented showing the performance of the better yielding types. Description 0f Varieties 0f Grain Sorghums. The varieties described range in height from three to six feet. In length of growing season they vary from '70 to 120 days. White Kafir. A dwarf uniform strain varying in height from to 5 feet. It is the earliest kafir variety tested, maturing in from 85 to 100 days, and does not tiller as freely as other varieties. The heads are slender and as a rule do not fill very well. Dtzvarf Kafir. A good leafy strain growing to a height of from 3-;- to 4% feet, and d ~maturing in from 100 to 110 days. The heads are from small to me- dium in size, a11d produce a yield of grain which is about the average for kafirs. The forage yield is less thanthat produced by the taller- growing and late-maturing varieties. Early Blackhul Kafir. A rather small-stemmed variety growing from 4% to 6 feet in height and maturing in from 100 to 110 days. The stems are rather sweet, producing a good yield and high quality of forage. The heads are of medium size and. well out of the boot, being from 3 to 10 inches above the last leaf sheath. The yield of grain compares very well with that of other varieties of kafir. Blackhul Kafir. A standard variety in common use, xvhich is of medium height and produces good yields of both forage and grain. It requires 110 to 120 days to mature, a slightly longer period than that of the white, dwarf, Rnronr or EXPERIMENTS AT_ SUBSTATION No. 12. 11 and early blackhul varieties. Under very favorable conditions it will usually out-yield these varieties. Whitehul K afi/r. Grows somewhat taller than blackhul, 4-;- to 6 feet, and is less de- sirable on this account. The heads are large and rather open, having a tendency to fill poorly at the tip. It produces good yields of both forage and grain under favorable conditions but is a medium late- maturing sort, and is surpassed in yield by the earlier-maturing vari- eties in dry seasons. Pink Kafir. Makes a growth similar to blackhul, 4 to» feet in height, and is a very l1igh yielder under favorable conditions. The seed are of a light pink color and the heads are rather large and open. 1am Kafir. Quite uniform and rather fine-stemmed. Requires a‘ long season- for maturity and suffers greatly during periods of extreme drouth. It pro- duces a good quality of forage and a heavy seed yield under favorable conditions, but heads poorly during dry seasons. The heads are long and slender and the seed are red. . Schro cit Ifa-Jfir. Quite leafy and a good forage variety. Height, 3% to 5 feet. Heads ' large and rather open, often with a drooping tip and well above the ’ last leaf sheath. It requires about the same length of season as black- hul kafir. The seed is brown and contains some tannin, which makes it slightly objectionable for feed. DUJKITf Hegari. The stalk resembles kafir but bears more and larger leaves, p-roduc- ing an excellent forage. It makes a good growth of from 3% to 5 feet, bearing large, rather compact heads. Matures in about 100 days. The grains are larger and whiter than kafir, somewhat resembling feterita. Hegari ranks among the first of grain sorghum varieties in the yield of both forage and grain. Darso Sorghum. This is a very dwarf variety, varying in height from 3 to 4-;- feet. It gives fair results under drouthy conditions, heading better and produc- ing more grain than the early kaiirs. It matures in from 90 to 100 days. The heads are large and rather compact and the seed have a brownish color. They contain some tannin and, consequently, are of less value for feed. Whooper Sorghum. A good combination grain and forage sorghum growing to a height of from 4%; to 6 ifeet, and maturing in about 100 days. The stalks are TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 04 Fig 3.——Pink Kaflr and Red Kafir. Fig. 4.—Dwarf Red Kaoliang and Dwarf White Milo. REPORT 0F EXPERIMENTS AT SUBsTATIoN No. 12. 13 imedium juicy and sweet, and the grain lacks the tannin which makes Llthe seed of sorgos undesirable for feed. The heads are rather open and ithe seed are white» iDurarf Red K aoliang. This kaoliang produces a uniform growth of from 5 to 6 feet and matures in from 85 to 95 days. It has a very attractive head with Jight red seed. It withstands drouth well but usually does not produce ,Aas large a yield of grain as kafir, milo or feterita. The grain when iground makes an excellent meal for human food. The stalks are dry and pithy, producing a poor quality of forage. fiWlzite Kaoliang. .1_ This is very similar to Dwarf Red kaoliang except that the seed are §white. It grows to a height of 5 or 6 feet and matures in about 90 days. The stalks are of low feeding value, but the grain is good feed and makes an excellent meal for human food when ground. Feterita. Feterita as introduced varied considerably in height, time of maturity, fand other characteristics. This original introduction, however, was characterized by earliness and high grain production under extreme conditions. Numerous selections of feterita have been made and a Fnumber of distinct strains developed. All of these have the same gen- ieral characteristics, but may, vary with respect to height, leafiness, qlength of season, shape of head or other characters. As a whole the variety’ is characterized by early maturity, the length of its growing iilseason being 80 to 90 days. Its height is from 4. to 6 feet. It has T-rather compact heads and large white seeds. It is distinctly a hot ‘weather crop and is noticeably superior to other grain sorghum varieties seasons of severe drouth. The seed shatter easily when over-ripe, a f drawback which is largely overcome by harvesting during the early ‘stages of maturity. The grain has a bluish white color and is softer than that of kafir. It does not produce quite as good forage as kafir. YDwarf Yellow Milo. i This is probably the most common grain sorghum grown throughout gthe western part of the State. It varies in height from 3% to 4-;- feet giand matures in from 9O to 100 day's. The seed are large, reddish yel- Plow, and the heads are large, compact and frequently goosenecked. The ‘_ lower leaves usually fire badly, as the crop reaches maturity. The fod- ider is not as valuable as that of kafir. In seasons of severe drouth ‘jdwarf milo produces grain with more certainty than kafir but is not {superior to feterita. This variety has become quite common in some localities. Certain strains 0f it are similar to Dwarf Yellow milo in habit of growth, while pothers vary with respect to height and erectness of head. In general, 14 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Fig. 5. Freed Sorgo. Fig. 6.——Dwarf Milo and Feterita. REPORT or EXPERIMENTS AT SUBSTATION No. 12. 15 .they have about the same value as the various yellow-seeded strains. f One strain developed at this Substation has proved to be an especially good grain yielder under conditions of severe drouth. ' ‘Freed Sorgo. i This is one of the earliest varieties, and as it matures in from '70 to 1 85 days, it is an especially desirable crop for early -feed. It grows to 4' a height of from 5 to 6 feet; has a slender stalk and comparatively few leaves. The stems are sweet and rather juicy until about the time the grain begins to ripen, after which time these» qualities disappear. The k heads are long-branched and open, similar to» those of Amber sorghum. The seed are White and make a good feed. This variety is not. ‘an exceptionally heavy yielder of either forage or grain, but its value lies , chiefly in its quick maturity and the certainty With which it produces a crop even under the most adverse conditions. Seed Yields of Varieties 0f Grain Sorghum/s. A That the reader may compare the grain sorghum varieties described P in the foregoing pages, a table is presented which gives their average if production of grain. for the past five years. ' i. Table 3.—Seed yields of grain sorghum in bushels to the acre.—Chillicothe, Texas, 1913-1917 Five year average Variety 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 Average .DwarfKafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.0 13.1 28.6 9.1 4.2 11.0 ‘Red Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.0 15.1 38.7 0.0 5.9 11.9 IPink Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.0 13.4 46.1 0.0 9.4 13.8 f Earl Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.0 17.2 32.1 10.8 4.4 12.9 Blac hulKafit..~...- . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.0 12.5 41.2 10.8 4.7 13.8 vDwarfHegari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 0.0 56.6 38.4 0.0 11.1 21.2 Feterila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10.7 53.5 28.0 18.6 5.5 23.3 'DwarfMilo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9.2 42.8 36.8 15.6 4.6 21.8 DwarfWhite Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17.5 21.3 32.5 17.0 6.1 18.9 yFreed Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 21.6 27.7 11.7 5.7 14.3 Description 0f Va-rieties of Forage r90rghums—S0rg0s. Sorghums of this group are characterized by their sweet stems and shy seed production. Typical varieties of this group are Sumac or Red 5IT0p, Amber and Orange. p The varieties described range in height from 3% to 8 feet. In length ._;~"<0f growing season they vary from 80 to 125 days. lRe-(Z Amber. f; This is an excellent forage variety growing to a height of 5 to 6 feet _.'and maturing in from 80 to 95 days. The stems are quite leafy, sweet, land juicy. It produces good forage but does not yield as well as some pfithe later-maturing varieties. Black Amber. V‘ This variety is similar to Red Amber in habit of growth. There are several tyipes, two of which" are known as Dakota Amber and Minnesota 16 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Fig. 7.——Varieties of Milo in Field. Fig. 8.——Grain Sorghum Varieties in Bundles. REPORT or EXPERIMENTS Ar SUBSTATION No. 12. 1'7 j ber. The former is a very early-maturing, slender-stemmed type. i it the seed branches are held‘ erect and thus give the heads the ap- larance of being fairly compact. Minnesota Amber is a slightly coarser, iller type which is later in maturing and the heads are more open than ose of the Dakota Amber strain. The stems of all types in the Black ' ber are sweet and juicy, producing a good quality of forage, but y: ally the Black Amber type does not equal Red Amber in yield under e conditions prevailing at Chillicothe. . llier. f. This variety produces tall, slender stems, which grow to be 5% to 7 in height. It matures in from 90 to 100 days. The stems are and juicy, producing a good quality of forage. Under favorable ditions the stalks grow tall and have a tendency to lodge, so that ‘ esting becomes difficult. The seed are brown and the glumes or ] s, are black. The head is short and usually drooping at the tip. ’ Lean. his variety produces tall, slender stems 5}- to 7% feet in height. It i. hes maturity in from 100 to 115 days. The stems are sweet and jy, the seed is light brown in color, and the heads are rather open, u similar to those of Amber sorgo. Like Collier sorgo, it is sub- f to lodging before harvest time. , jjey. , is is a tall, rather coarse-stemmed variety, growing from 5% to 8 in height, and requiring 125 days or more to mature. Usually it T» rather poorly. The heads are" open and sprangled. The seed are it-colored and the glumes or hulls are orange-colored. The stems very sweet and juicy; it is an excellent variety for syrup production, Yis rather coarse for forage. . oney sorgo is sometimes erroneously called Japanese cane, Japanese d ribbon cane, or Japanese sorghum. These names are trade names a- ectly applied to the sorghums. panese sugar cane is a true sugar cane and does not belong to the . yum family. It does not produce seed in this country but is ex- yely grown in South Texas for forage purposes. African. White African produces very coarse stems, which are 5% to 7-} ll. It requires 120 days or longer to mature. The stems are j and juicy. It makes a heavy yield, which, though rather coarse, _ble for silage. The seed are White and the heads are rather com- d except for being broader they appear similar to those of kafir. ‘ l ck. a variety is commonly known in many localities as “Texas Seeded Cane.” The stems are tall, coarse, and late in maturing. It _ extensively for syrup making, being one of the best varieties 18 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Fig. 9.——Amber Sorgo in Bundle. Fig. 10.—-Threshing Sorghum. REPoRT OF EXPERIMENTS AT SUBsTATIoN N0. 12. 19 this purpose. It produces a large tonnage but is not so satisfactory u forage as many other varieties. mac. This varietyi is also known as Red Top and is a standard forage sorgo Texas. It grows to a height from 5% to 7% feet. The stems are of ium size, very leafy, and are quite sweet and juicy. It is used suc- , fully for both silage and dry forage. To mature it requires at least i?» dz-iys, The heads are short and compact. The seed are small, al- _t round, and are of a dark reddish color. This variety is used to e extent for syrup making, but is not considered as desirable for purpose as the Honey, Goosencck, and Orange sorgos. “Ange. i his variety produces a good leafy growth of from 5 to 7% feet in ht and requires 115 days or longer to mature. The stems are quite f' sweet and juicy. It produces a good quality of forage. It is 'er and not quite as tall as Sumac; hence it is more desirable in two respects. Some strains are considered especially good for _p making. A dwarf type which has been grown at this Substation a number of years is especially promising as forage so-rgo. rf A shlrurne. is is a dwarf, leafy variety, resembling Sumac. It grows from o 4% feet in height and matures in from 100 to 120 days. It is - leafy. The stems are sweet and juicy, producing a good quality orage. The heads are rather compact and the seed are a dark red- brown in color. From the standpoint of both yield and quality, '1 one of the best forage varieties that have been tested at this Sub- 11. Forage Yields of Varieties of Sforghums.‘ mac, Orange, and Red Amber are the most common varieties grown. a the yields of these may be compared, they are presented in the fol- ; g table, in vrhich are included also the forage yields of the chief p1 sorghums. i’ Table 4.—Forage yields in pounds per acre of sorghum varieties-Chillicothe. Five year average. Variety 1913 1914_ 1915 1916 1917 Average 4540 16560 I 13600 4520 3900 8580 1340 5560 4100 2120 1900 3000 ' much influence on the yield of varieties when averages are avab 20 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. Rate of Planting Sorghums in Rows. There are a number of factors to be considered in deciding thej rate of planting sorghums. Among these factors are variations mate, soil, seasonal conditions, variety of seed used, method of ha i ing and purpose for which the crop is intended. Occasionally condition exists in which it seems advisable to plant thinly becau the scarcity or high price of seed, but such instances are rare. 5 tions in climate and seasonal conditions have not been observed to _l Wet or dry seasons seem to affect the thick and thin plantings to = the same extent. A variety used chiefly for forage purposes, as is usually the case p, the sorgos, should be planted thicker than varieties intended essen . for grain or seed production. Otherwise, the five varieties,-—fe , dwarf milo, blackhul kafir, Sumac sorgo, and Freed sorgo, which been tested out at different rates at this Substation, have all given ilar results from the variations in rates of planting. p; It is quite a common practice in many parts of the sorghum groa, country to harvest the heads of grain sorghums by hand from the = F ing stalks in the field. If this is practiced, comparatively large h which are the natural results of thin planting, aremore desirable i a greater number of small heads. Where the harvesting and w or threshing are all done by machinery, the comparatively large n fr, of small heads, occasioned by thick planting, are not objectionable. Most varieties of sorghums have the ability to tiller developed high degree. Thus nature tends to equalize the stands and there is; difference in yield due to different rates of planting than will be f0” in crops which do not possess this characteristic. The influen stooling or tillering is plainly shown by counting the number of sf in a row when the plants first come up and again when the crop is _ maturity, and by then comparing these counts with those obtained n‘ other various rates of planting. Very thick plantings produce few ers, while in thin stands there may be from two to eight, or even a; _ tillers to the plant. Since under favorable conditions many of the ' will produce good heads the yield of seed as well as that of fora often about the same for both thick and thin plantings. In the following tables are given summaries of the forage i, seed yields of the five above-mentioned varieties planted at four ' ferent rates. The column headed “Rate Inches” shows the avera the actual rates secured since these did not always conform exactl the intended rate. For convenience, the rows were planted forty A,‘ apart. Yields are given and averaged for a period of four years f each yield is computed on the acre basis from plats planted in dupli‘ ' i é , REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS AT SUBSTATION No. 12.’ 21 Table 5.-—Seed yields in bushels per acre for five varieties, each planted at four different rates, 1914 to 1917, inclusive. _Rate Variety 1914 1915 1916 1917 Average inches é \ 5.5 Feterita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26.6 27 2 21.4 10.9 21.5 9.3 Feterita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22.4 28.3 19.5 .1 19.6 13.3 Feterita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 25.4 26.4 19.3 10.9 20.5 é 16.9 Feterita.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19.1 23.6 17.2 10.6 17.6 a 4.6 Dwarf Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23.8 30.0 11.4 6.1 17.8 i 8.9 Dward Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 19.3 26.4 11.2 5.1 15.5 12.7 Dwarf Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21.8 28 6 13.9 2.5 16.7 16.3 Dwarf Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21.8 27 1 13.2 6.7 17.2 e 5.0 Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.8 26.4 0.0 11.2 11.1 8.8 Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10.4 28.6 0.0 16.8 13.9 12.4 Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10.7 27.9 0.0 9.8 12.1 16.3 Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12.1 21.4 0.0 7.0 10.1 2.4 Sumac Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 39.3 17.2 0.0 3.8 15.1 4.9 Sumac Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 39.1 17.2 0.0 6.5 15.7 a _ 8.4 Sumac Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35.4 19.6 0.0 7.2 15.5 12.1 Sumac Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30.9 16.4 0.0 4.1 12.8 4.3 Freed Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .6 23.6 19.4 13.9 16.4 '3 7.0 Freed Sorgo . . . . . .." . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14.3 22.2 20.4 14.9 17.9 ; 10.3 Freed Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14.3 26.1 19.0 7.1 16.6 ' 14.9 Freed Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16.4 17.2 18.9 10.0 15.6 Table 6.—Forage {yields in tons per acre for five varieties _of sorghum, each planted at four different rates 1914 to 1917, inclusive. Rate Variety 1914 1915 1916 1917 Average inches 5.5 Feterita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.97 3.30 1.66 1.43 2.84 9.3 Feterita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.46 3.15 1.42 1.13 2.29 13.3 Feterita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.23 2.75 1.39 1.20 2.39 16.9 Feterita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.05 2.50 1.27 1;29 2.03 4.6 Dwarf Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5.66 4.65 1.34 1.38 3.26 8.9 Dwarf Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.49 3.89 1.25 1.30 2.73 12.7 Dwarf Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4. 15 4.18 1.31 .82 2.61 16.3 Dwarf Milo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 18 4.00 1.25 1.46 2.72 5.0 Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7.62 3.70 1.50 1.60 3.60 8.8 Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.48 3.20 1.48 2.24 3.35 12.'4 Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.88 3.20 1.34 3.04 3.36 16.3 Blackhul Kafir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.46 2.30 1. 13 1.87 2.44 2.4 Sumac Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7.68 6.35 2.73 2.73 4.87 4.9 Sumac Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.15 7.50 2.17 3.06 4.72 8.4 Sumac Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5.73 8.40 2.57 3.03 4.93 12.1 Sumac Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.53 7.90 1.89 2.69 4.75 4.3 Freed Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.21 3.13 1.54 1.67 2.63 7.0 Freed Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.38 1.93 1.60 1.57 2.37 10.3 Freed Sorgo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.45 2.45 1.56 1.02 2.37 14.9 Freed Sorgo...._..- . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.73 1.95 1.51 1.25 2.11 d In the preceding tables it is noticeable that the yields of neither for- age nor grain vary directly with the differences in stand. This fact Qindicates, as stated previously, that because of the tillering habit the Jorghums tend to equalize deficiencies in stand. In respect t0 both yield and quality of forage the thickest rate has proved the best from I a forage standpoint. In the table of seed yields it is noticeable that, except for Dwarf _,mil0, the thinnest rate produced the lowest yield. . In the table of forage yields this is the case with three of the five cvarieties, while thicker plantings made the largest yields with all vari- eties except the Sumac. Rate of Seeding Sorgo in Close Drills or Broadcast. Seeding sorghurns broadcast as a hay crop is a very common and a rofitable practice in all but the dry parts of Texas. This method of seeding has not given good results here except in 22 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. seasons of abundant rainfall. hen the rainfall is very light as in the seasons 1913 and 191"?’ all rates of seeding, both thick and thin, were so badly damaged by drouth that little growth was produced. In . 1914 When there was plenty of moisture all rates produced a heavy growth, but the thin seedings grew so tall and coarse that the crop was very diflicult to handle and the thickest seedings produced the best quality of hay. In the experiments at this Substation both Red Amber and Sumac sorgos have been seeded with a grain drill at the rate of ‘15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 pounds of seed to the acre. In broadcast plantings one-third to one-half more seed would be required to secure the same stands. In Fig. 1l.—Apparatus for Weighing Plat Yields in Field. the following table is given a summary of the yields of both varieties covering a period of four years, 1914 to 1917, inclusive. Table 7.——-Rate of seeding Sorgo in close drills for hay—Summary of yields for period of four years from 1914 to 1917, inclusive. Rate of Seeding Red Amber, Tons per Acre Sumac, Tons per Acre Lbs. per Acre 1914 l 1915 | 1916 l 1917 | Avr. 1914 I 1915 I 1916 ‘ 1917 Avr. l 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.13 5.25 1.35‘ .87 3.40 8.50 6.30 1.10 .88 4.19 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.83 5.93 v 1.48 .99 3.81 8.70 6.05 1.15 .92 4.20 45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7.23 6.25 1.26 .92 3.91 9.35 6.68 1.01 .97 4.50 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7.28 6.05 1.27 .93 3.88 9.88 6.25 .74 .74 4.40 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6.98 5.50 1.21 1.01 3.67 9.85 6.75% .38 .83 4.45 In the above table it will be noticed that seeding at the rate of 45 pounds to the acre gave the highest yield of forage for both Red Amber and Sumac in the average of four years’ results. I REPORT or EXPERIMENTS AT SUBSTATION ‘No. 12. 23 e of Planting‘ Sorghunizs. i" ere the seasons are long there is a period of at least three months 'g which many of the sorghums may be planted with reasonable rance of success, but the optimum date of planting may vary some- '__t with diflierent years. The proper date of planting, therefore, will ys remain largely a question for the judgment of the farmer. t xperiments which have been conducted over a period of years, how- ", show quite conclusively the average best time of planting. Seldom ere any advantage from planting very early in the spring. The ihums require much heat and only reach their best development in f! climate. Cold weather, while they are small, stunts early plants ‘- eh an evtent that they are usually inferior in growth to plantings after the weather has become continuously warm. The usual re- jof very early plantings of sorghums is that they germinate poorly, a slow early growth, and, furthermore, the weeds get an equal l. with the crop. Very-late plantings on the other hand usually inate well and make a rapid early growth. There is danger, how- that the maturity of the crop will be interfered with by frosts or 'ued cool weather in the fall. ' e table following gives a summary of the yields~of five varieties: ta, dwarf milo, blackhul kafir, Sumac sorgo, and Freed sorgo f1 d on seven different dates for a period of five years: —Summary of forage and seed yields for five years in date of planting test. 1913-1917 vex-age date planted Feterita Dwarf Blackhul Sumac Freed Milo Kafir Sorgo Sorgo yields, pounds per acre. i» . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3280 3120 4920 7780 2140 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3860 3100 4720 7180 2700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4320 4220 5160 8300 3600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 4980 5880 3540 1' 46 8180 ' l3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B) 5020 i (B) 5480 (B) 6460 (A) 11040 (A) 4640 .: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A) 2040 (A) 5900 (A) 6508 (B) 2650 (B) 3620 I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 000 4740 594 1 0 2860 yields, bushels per acre. . t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17.2 14.9 5.8 8.2 18.5 12.9 12.5 112 12.0 . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17.8 (B) 15.3 15.5 11.9 r 15.1 Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18.8 (A) 16.4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (B) 16.6 " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 18.9 13.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (A) 16.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (A) 19.1 10.4.1 12.1 .4.8 6.8 L . . V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11.9 12.5 11.0 7.8 5.2 i. Highest yield. (B)——Second highest yield. y» the above (table it will be noted that the average highest and highest yields of forage for all varieties are from the two plant- life in June. It has also been observed that the quality of the ‘iirom these plantings is better than ‘that planted earlier. Being “w later in the season the fodder from the June planting does ,'011t as badly before winter as that from the earlier plantings. f an additional advantage if the fodder is intended for winter While the data on seed yields are less complete or consistent -» e for forage, the indicatio-ns are that the highest grain yields produced from plantings made from two to four weeks earlier .3, date for the highest yields of forage. _ 24 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. From the standpoint of expense of operation, it is very impo that these crops be planted late rather than early in the season. unplanted field may be cared for and kept free of Weeds much n" cheaply than one which has been planted, or which is growing an ea seeded crop. The fields which are planted at the dates indicated I1: will produce a more rapid growth of crop, less cultivation will be quired, and because of cheap early tillage fewer weeds will be pres As the cheap and complete control of weeds is undoubtedly one of v greatest problems of the farmer in this district, it is evident that th planting dates here given are of very great importance. ‘ Sltdfl/fb Grass. Sudan grass was brought into use in America as a result of pl’. introduction tests at this Substation. The early belief that it n; end the search for a better crop than Johnson grass and that it free from all the objectionable characteristics of Johnson grass has b‘ abundantly proved. It is now a standard crop in Texas. With v.5 recognition of the excellence of Sudan grass as a hay and pasture cry there is a large and increasing market for the seed. - '_ The experiments. with Sudan grass reported upon in Experime Station Bulletins No. 172 (Sudan Grass), and No. 202 (Progr- Report Sitlmstatilovt N0. 12) have been continued. q» The experiments with methods of planting Sudan grass have been c0‘ tinned. This experiment for the past five years has given the figu f in the following table: " Toble 9.-Method of planting Sudan grass for seed. Summary of five seasons’ results. Yield of seed in pounds per acre. Method of planting , 1' 1913 I 1914 I 1915 I 1916 I 1917 ‘Aver’ 40-inch rows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0o * 215 475 241 ool 1" 24-inch rows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0o ** 105 487 226 oo s, Close drill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. oo 9o soo 9* 12v o0 1_ *36-inch rows. **l8-inch rows. For seed production there has been a decided advantage from plantin Sudan grass in 40-inch rows over that planted in 24-inch rows, or close drills. Not only has the yield of seed been higher from the 40-inc =1 rows, but the crops have been much more easily harvested. The LIO-inc rows were harvested with a row binder and shocked in the field unt' cured sufliciently for threshing. The 21-inch rows and close-drill plats were cut with a morving machine but might have been harvest with a grain binder had one been available. An experiment similar to that reported upon above has been conducted with Sudan grass as a hay crop. The dates are presented in the. fol 1 lowing table: , l REPORT or" EXPERIMENTS AT SUBSTATION N0. 12. 25 le 10.—Method of seeding Sudan grass for Hay. Summary of the yields 1913 to 1917, l inclusive. ~ Yield in pounds per acre. 1913 I 1914 I 1915 1916 1917 [Average Method of seeding. 'nch rows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A 2720 C 10560 7240 3060 i 1680 5060 'ch rows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B 2980 B 9500 6120 2500 1380 4460 V_e drill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1520 10960 5860 2520 860 4340 —44 inches. B—]8 inches. C——36 inches. here has been a higher yield of hay from Sudan grass planted in ‘inch rows than from plantings in 24-inch rows, or in close drills. - growth in the row plantings was the coarser, however, making a rer quality of hay. - Another objection is that in mowing and raking i cultivated ro-ws more dirt was gathered with the hay than in the i drilled seedingsiwhere no cultivation was given. There must be idered also the labor of cultivation in the case of the row-planted is Taking all points into account, one must consider the close-drilled 'ngs better for hay production than cultivated rows. _ ' i. it seems very desirable from the standpoint of quality of hay and Ipness of operation to produce Sudan grass hay in close-drilled seed- ; the experiment to determine the proper amount of seed to plant p value and is presented here. i‘-~11.-—Rate of seeding Sudan grass in close drills. Summary of yields, in pounds, for " four seasons. Yield in pounds. Rate of seeding, pounds per acre. » 4 Year 1914 1915 1916 I 1917 Average i" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8620 5800 2420 3120 4990 » . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11140 5800 2500 3480 5730 " . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10020 5940 2760 3520 5560 jj . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10340 5760 2540 4320 5740 ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9680 5960 2360 3960 5490 isidering the average of ifour years’ results as in the above table is seen to be no very striking difference in yield of hay when f» grass is seeded at different rates varying from 10 pounds to 35 ‘s of seed per acre. The thinner seedings made a somewhat coarser V: . early in the season, but owing to the abundant stooling habit dan grass these would thicken up by the time of the second cutting" P there would be little difference. From '15 to 20 pounds of seed ire sown with a grain drill can be counted on to give satisfactory _, and by this practice from 15 to 20 pounds of seed may be saved f: pared to the heavier rates. v ,,. SOY BEANS. 1f’ beans as a whole have not proved satisfactory at Ghillicothe. qsforage yields have always been light and the seed yields are not 3o those of the best cowpeas. Added to this is the difficulty o-f |' g and curing Without loss. With dry weather at harvest time _. the pods burst and shatter the seed. Rabbits are very fond . 26 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. of the young, tender plants, and many times have either partly or i tirely destroyed the crop early in the season. The so-y bean is not ommended as a crop for this region. Variety tests and test of ~; duced foreign varieties are being continued. COWPEAS. While the experiments conducted at this Substation have shown. falfa to be adapted as a dry farming crop here, there is neverthelf very large need of annual legumes. Of these the cowpea. is much by most successful. _ A description of the varieties of cowpeas which are most valuable ii follows: Description of Varieties of Cowpeas. Brabham. _ This variety makes a rank leafy growth and is one of the heai yielders of hay. The plants are quite erect; hence it is one of I easiest varieties to harvest. It is rather late maturing and prod a comparatively light yield of seed. — ' i’ GTOii. The Groit makes a more spreading growth than the Brabham, r tures earlier, and usually produces a comparatively good yield of n: hay and seed. € Coffee. In growth the Coffee is very spreading; and for that reason is diifi to harvest for hay. In yield it compares very well with Groit and Era. It has consistently been a good seed yielder. The pods ‘and w; are large. New Era. This is a good, thrifty variety, similar in habit of growth to Groit and seems to withstand dry seasons better than the Groit, B ham, or Iron. In the 1917 experiment the New Era came second Coffee in seed production. i Early Bufi’. One of the earliest maturing varieties tested. The growth is vi i’ bushy and the forage yield light. The seed yields have been espec' good when compared with those of other varieties in_ dry seasons. is perhaps due to the early maturity of this variety. The seed are ' buff in color and especially good for table use either as snaps or n’ I ran. The Iron variety grown in the east as a wilt-resistant cowpea is similar in habit of growth to the Brabham but not quite so erect. - is about the same as Brabham in forage yield, but somewhat better _ seed producer. ' i M onetta. similar to Brabham and Iron. g] low in seed production. Taylor. to harvest for hay. yield is only fair. fl spreading and difficult to mow for hay. good but the pods were not filled out. € peanuts have not been successful. ‘ uable than cowpeas. has“ , . _.l..l_v.,_ ‘U’, p‘ an excellent hay under favorable conditions. REPORT or, EXPERIMENTS AT SUBsTATIoN No. 12. 27 fLBZa-ckeye. _This is the common garden variety. It produces a rather spreading growth and only average yields of forage. not been equal to that of Coffee, Early Buff, New Era, or Groit. Usually the seed yield has I This variety produces rank growth, which is mostly erect, and very Likewise it is a good hay yielder but \ The Tavloi' produces a rank, rather spreading growth, and is‘ difficult The seeds and pods are very large but the seed i Red Ripper. The habit of growth is like that of Taylor and Coffee: It is rather In seed or forage yield it is not equal to that of the best ‘varieties mentioned above. PEANUTS. Spanish peanuts have been grown, but with no definite results, al- though the 1917 crop was better than the average. The forage was very In the rather dry seasons the MISCELLANEOUS ANNUAL LEGUMES. Chick peas, Jack beans, Guar, and Yokohoma beans have never given any promise as forage plants.’ Dolichos biflorus and Dolichos Zablab both produce fair crops of hay under favorable conditions, but have never produced seed in amounts o-f any importance. These are less val- Adzuki beans have given fair seed yields but they are of little forage value. Kultiti Beans. The Kulthi bean produces a fine-stemmed, leafy growth, from 15 to 20 inches high. It is an erect plant during its early growth, but its weight causes it to fall- over more or less before the end of the season. It yields about three-fourths of a ton of hay to the acre, but this is not eaten readily by live stock. In the several years that this bean has been tested it has failed to bloom. Its use cannot be advised in this region. Moth Beans. Moth beans produce a mat of fine leaves and stems which cover the entire surface of the ground between the rows. This legume produces The hay ,is of less value 28 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. than that 0f c-owfipeas. With the exception of one year it has never pro- duced seed here. Mung Beans. p The Mung beans are very early in maturing, but have a poor quality of forage. The pods and seed are too small t0 be 0f value as a handq picked crop. The crop is of value for chicken pasture.