14 THEEE MUCH-MISEEPEESENTED SOEGHUMS. 



From these facts it was a natural inference that, when their available 

 supply of the seed of Gooseneck sorgo was exhausted, growers and 

 dealers had substituted the seed of these other sorgo varieties rather 

 than lose sales at very profitable prices. When attention was called 

 to these facts the buying public was assured by some of the growers 

 and dealers that there were two strains of "Seeded Ribbon cane," 

 one "Gooseneck" and the other "Straightneck," and the substitution 

 was continued. Recently a fourth variety, having erect heads, has 

 been offered by a grower as "Straightneck Seeded Ribbon cane." 

 This time it is the Sapling sorgo, once well kno\Yn under the name 

 "Link's Hybrid." 



It is gratifying to note that the leading seed firms handling sorghum 

 seeds in the Southwest, while still using the name "Seeded Ribbon 

 cane," use also the correct name, "Gooseneck sorgo," as an additional 

 title in describing this crop. This is helping much to clear up the 

 matter in the mind of the public. It will be still better when the 

 misleading name "Seeded Ribbon cane" is 'dropped entirely and this 

 variety sold under its true name, "Gooseneck sorgo," alone. It is 

 to be hoped also that the advertising and sale of other old and well- 

 known sorgo varieties, as "Straightneck Seeded Ribbon cane," will 

 be stopped. 



SUMMARY. 



True sugar cane {Saccharum qfficinarum) is commonly known as 

 "Ribbon cane." In the past few years a variety of sorgo has been 

 widely advertised and sold as "Texas Seeded Ribbon cane." 



It was at first claimed that this was a true sugar cane (Ribbon 

 cane) which could be grown from seed and cultivated much farther 

 north than other forms of sugar cane. 



Investigation showed that the plant was the once well-known 

 Gooseneck sorgo, a true sorghum, and this fact was made known by 

 publication and tln-ough correspondence. 



The seed continued, however, to be advertised and widely sold at 

 high prices, and when the supply ran short seeds of other sorgo varie- 

 ties, having erect heads, were substituted for the Gooseneck sorgo. 



Compltiining growers were then assured that there were two strains 

 of "Seeded Ribbon cane," one "Gooseneck" and the other " Straight- 

 neck." The sorgo varieties thus sold were Sumac, Orange, and 

 Planter. Recently a fourth. Sapling sorgo, has been offered by a 

 grower as "Straightneck Seeded Ribbon cane." 



During the past two years leading seed firms in the Southwest have 

 been explaining that the plant offered as "Seeded Ribbon cane" is 

 Gooseneck sorgo. 



Approved : 



James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



Washington, D. C, January 8, 1910. 



[Cir. 50] Q 



