THREE MUCH-MISREPRESENTED SORGHUMS. 



13 



Beginning? about six years ago, a plant was much advertised and 

 its seeds widely sold at high prices under the name of "Texas Seeded 

 Kibbon cane." It was claimed to be a form of true sugar cane wdiich 

 not only produced seed, but could be grown true from seed, thus doing 

 away with the labor of preserving and planting the stalks. 



It was said to grow successfully as far north as northern Oklahoma 

 and Arkansas. It was further claimed that the United States De- 

 ])artment of Agriculture had pronounced it a true sugar cane. This 

 last statement was, of course, promptly 

 denied. 



Brief investigation showed that the 

 plant was a sorghum and the first sea- 

 son's trials identified it as the Goose- 

 neck sorgo (fig. 2). This was probably 

 one of the African imphees obtained in 

 Natal by Leonard Wray in 1851 and 

 introduced to Europe in 1854 and to 

 the United States in 1857. It was a 

 well-known variety during the days 

 wdien sorgos were grown for sugar pur- 

 poses, but had largely disappeared from 

 cultivation after those experiments 

 were discontinued." 



As soon as these facts were learned 

 a brief statement was given to the agri- 

 cultural press and a great many in- 

 quirers informed by letter. In the 

 mean time, many farmers wdio had pur- 

 chased and planted seed recognized the 

 crop as the old Gooseneck sorgo. They 

 reported their belief both to this De- 

 partment and to their agricultural 

 papers. However, the sale of seed as 

 tliut of a true sugar cane was continued 

 under the impetus of skillful advertis- 

 ing. The warnings of the farmers first humbugged seemed with- 

 out effect. 



At the close of the second season a new complication appeared. 

 Many farmers reported that their crop, while clearly a sorghum, was 

 not the Gooseneck variety but some other. An examination of many 

 samples submitted for identification showed that Sumac, Orange, and 

 Planter sorgos, all varieties with erect heads, were being grown under 

 the name of "Seeded Ribbon cane." 



Fig. 2. 



-A head of Gooseneck sorgo, 

 third natural size. ) 



(Oue- 



a At the present time it is known to be of great value as a sirup and fodder crop for 

 the Southern States. 

 [Cir. 50] 



