Art. v.— sorghum SACCHAHATUM. 



As much is now being said in relation to the introduction of this 

 plant, for the increase of our forage, as well as for its saccharine 

 properties, and as reliable information is what is sought, we have 

 thought proper to copy the following from the Patent Office Report 

 of 1855 : 



" This gramineous plant is of Chinese origin, but more recently 

 from France, by the way of Natal, in South Africa. Since its intro- 

 duction into this country, it has proved itself well adapted to our 

 geographical range of Indian corn. It is of easy cultivation, being 

 similar to that of maize, or broom corn ; and if the seeds are planted 

 in May, in the Middle States, or still earlier at the South, two crops 

 of fodder can be grown in a season, from the same roots, irrespective 

 of drought. The first one in June or July, to be cut before the 

 panicles appear, which would be green or succulent like young In- 

 dian corn, and the other, a month or two later, when, or before, the 

 seed is fully matured. The amount of fodder which it will produce 

 to the acre, with ordinary cultivation, may be safely estimated at sev- 

 en tuns, when green, or at least two tuns per acre, when thoroughly 

 cured. The stalks, when nearly mature, are filled with a rich saccha- 

 rine juice, which may be converted into sugar, syrup, alcohol, or 

 beer ; or may be used for dyeing wool or silk a permanent red or 

 pink ; and the entire plant is devoured with avidity, either in a 

 green or dry state, by horses, cattle, sheep and swine. 



Considered in a utilitarian point of view, this plant, perhaps, has 

 stronger claims on the American Agriculturist, than any other prod- 

 uct that has been brought to this country since the introduction of 

 cotton or wheat. Aside from other economical uses, its value for 

 feeding to animals, alone, in every section of the Union where it 

 will thrive, can not be surpassed by any other crop, as a greater 

 amount of nutritious fodder can not be obtained so cheap, on a giv- 

 en space, within so short a period of time. 



When Cato was asked what was the best system of farming, he 

 thrice answered, 'bene pascere ;' which translated is, 'to graze well,' 

 or to procure food for cattle — having had in view the connection be- 

 tween the feeding of stock and the production of manure. Admit- 



