J 85 7. J Cincinnati Ilorticullural Society — Proceedings. 237 



Chinese Sugar-cane. — (Sorghum Saccharinum.) The com- 

 mittee to whom the subject of this new article in American Agri- 

 culture was referred respectfully present the following 



report: 



1. The true plant has black seed, borne on a loose panicle re- 

 sembling Broom-corn, but with a more compact head. 



2. It can be cultivated like Indian Corn (Maize) and planted 

 closer if desirable. The yield is greater in stalks, than is that of 

 corn, but less in seed, being from twenty-five to fifty bushels per acre. 



3. The seed may be made useful as food for poultry ; and, when 

 ground, to mix with chopped feed for cattle, and horses. 



4. The great value of this plant is in the sacharine matter con- 

 tained in the stalk ; for this it will be cultivated to make molasses, 

 and also to feed to cattle, both as green and dried fodder, 



5. It will produce a sugar technically termed glucose — equivalent 

 to grape or other fruit-sugar, but not so rich as that made from the 

 common sugar-cane, and far more difiicult of granulation. This is, in- 

 deed the great obstacle found in the production of sugar from this plant. 



In conclusion, your committee believe from the best information 

 that can be now obtained — but without any practical experience of 

 the members — will be valuable to cultivate as a food for cattle ; and, 

 where fuel is cheap, to convert into molasses ; but doubt whether it 

 can ever come into successful competition with the common sugar- 

 cane, to make sugar in ordinary seasons. 



For further information the members are referred to several books 

 and pamphlets, recently published on this subject, deposited in your 

 Society's library by the committee, and for sale in the several book 

 stores in this city. Agriculturists are recommended to try the 

 Chinese Sugar-cane, on a moderate scale at first, as experience alone 

 can test its value and adaptation to the soil and climate of the differ- 

 ent sections of our widely-extended country. The works to which 

 the committee would refer for further information are: Hyde's book, 

 Peter's pamphlets, Redmond's pamphlets, and other works not 

 now before the committee. R. Buchanan, ") 



J. P. FOOTE, [■ Committee. 



F. G. Cary, 3 



Mr. Ward moved to reconsider the vote of the Society, at the last 

 meeting, on Mr. Cary's resolution in relation to holding the Fall 

 Exhibition, which motion was carried, and the question, recurring 

 on the resolution, was warmly discussed, and finally, on motion, was 

 laid on the table, to be made the special order of the day at the 

 next meeting. 



