534 ^^C' ^^Sorghwn' as a Sugar P'a^if, etc. [December, 



tain a sufficient quantity of saccharine matter, only to make a small 

 economical return by distillation, it may add sufficient to redeem the 

 Soro-hum from being a failure ; but without such result we think it 

 at least extremely problematical whether it will at ail meet the san- 

 guine expectations that have been entertained, and the large prom- 

 ises made in its behalf; and in this latter suggestion there is a moral 

 bearino' which, with our present alcoholic productions in such abun- 

 dant supply and use, we by no means love to contemplate. Hence, 

 upon the whole, we are frank to confess that so far from facts justi- 

 fying the high expectations held out in behalf of this plant, as to 

 place it along side of our wheat and cotton, the economy of its cul- 

 ture may be regarded as vei-y doubtful. 



It was introduced under the most favorable cireumstanees to in- 

 sure success ; at a time when the prejudices against the south, and 

 the products of slave labor would lead the more zealous to make ef- 

 forts and sacrifices in its favor, thereby to supplant the product of 

 slave with free labor and render the north more independent in this 

 respect. But all must be aware that if the Sorghum is to succeed, 

 its success must depend upon its comparative value with the sugar 

 cane of the south. To ascertain, this numerous well-authenticated facts 

 and experiments must be collected. Our object, in the facts and 

 statements here introduced, is to bring this subject fairly and truly 

 before the public and thereby avoid a ruinous waste of time, labor 

 and money, and all those disabilities of a physical and moral nature 

 attendant upon perversely persisting in error. 



In relation to reports on the Sorghum, we are well assured from 

 our own experience the past summer and fall, and the style in which 

 they are written that many of them are extravagant exaggerations cal- 

 culated to mislead, and ultimately wrongly to direct the enterprise, 

 capital and labor of the people, in opposition to all the known laws of 

 political science, and finally prove prejudicial to our national pros- 

 perity. 



If there is one class of mind in the world with a native antipathy 

 to improvement, there is another and much more really mischievous 

 which seems ever determined to caricature it. As every animal, how- 

 ever noxious and seemingly useless, has its appointed prey, so do the 

 natural enemies of all scientific advancement in their own art, trade 

 or calling, whatever that may be, find a never-Aiiling source of tri- 

 umph and enjoyment in cracking the bones of blundering enthusiasts 



