Sorghum

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Wang Cheng; Nung shu,

(Yuan dynasty treatise on Agriculture sericulture, etc) (1300)
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Wang Zhen or Wang Chen, fl. 1290–1333 was a Chinese mechanical engineer, agronomist, inventor, writer, and politician. His illustrated agricultural treatise was also one of the most advanced of its day, covering a wide range of equipment and technologies available in the late 13th and early 14th century. He talks about sorghum a plant originally from Africa.

Taken from: Michael J. Hagerty; Comments on writings concerning Chinese Sorghums

The spring month is the most suitable for burying the seeds [of the sorghum] in the earth. The stalk is over ten feet high. The ears are big like brooms, the grains black like lacquer or like frog's eyes. When ripe it is harvested by mowing and gathering it into sheaves, which are set up.
The fruit yields a grain which is hulled and eaten. Oxen and horses may be fed with the refuse, and even the waste material may be utilized. The stalks can be made into brooms for cleaning pots, the blades can be plaited into door-screens, mats , and fences.  Besides, it is served at table, so that there is nothing that need be thrown aside. This is one of the most serviceable grains and indispensable to the farmer.

Note: this plant originally from Africa had slowly made its way to China.