THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



181 



Lcplay refers to tlio dopartment of Le Gard, in 44° 

 JV. L., the difference in the produce of aaccharino being 

 five per cent. It is the same with the sugar-cane, 

 which cannot bo cultivated at all at a higher latitude 

 thfta about 44'^, at ^yluch tlio proportion of saccharine 

 is far less than in the tropical countries. In this 

 respect, both the soi-gho and the sugar-cane differ in 

 toto from the beet-root; the quantity of saccharine 

 contained in this latter being greater in proportion as 

 it advances northward. Below 45° it is so small as 

 not to be worth cultivating, whilst in Northern Russia 

 it yields as much as from 13 to 15 per cent. The cul- 

 tivation of the sorgho in France therefore, for the pur- 

 pose of making sugar, must necessarily be confined to 

 the South, as that of beet-root is to the North, even if 

 it could be acclimated in the latter, which we much 

 doubt ; at any rate, it cannot be profitably grown there 

 for sugar making purposes. 



As fodder, however, the sorgho possesses valuable 

 properties, and will doubtless be extensively cultivated 

 in the North of France. Whether for that purpose it 

 could be grown in the United Kingdom remains to be 

 proved ; but, at any rate, it is worth trying. In that 

 case, it ought to be sown in the latter end of June or 

 early in July, when there is no danger from frost. It 

 will then be ready to cut in September, and continue 

 until November. If the plants were raised on seed- 

 beds, protected from the frosts at night, it would enable 

 the grower to obtain them at least a month earlier, 

 and they would tlien come in at a period when the dry 

 weather would render them particularly useful for 

 cattle. 



With respect to the mode of cultivating the sorgho, 

 it is sometimes sown broadcast, and sometimes in drills. 



Another method is, by throwing the land into small 

 hillocks, by first ploughing it in the Northumberland 

 fashion, and then by cross-ploughing to form it into 

 squares; upon which, put in about four seeds, or plants 

 (if ready), at a distance of about a foot apart, A small 

 quantity of guano or other artificial manure put in 

 near, but not with, the seed, will materially promote 

 its growth. A light sandy soil is the most adapted to 

 the sorgho, but it should be well manured. The Landea 

 in the department of the Loire, to which the statement 

 of M. Dupeyrat refers, are a pure moving sand. 101b?. 

 of seed per acre is about tlie quantity. It should be 

 previously steeped in water from twenty-four hours to 

 three days; the latter, in order to hasten its growth. 

 The seeds which swim on the top should be thrown away, 

 as only that which sinks to the bottom will vegetate. 



The quantity of produce from the sorgho is pro- 

 digious, Dupeyrat speaks of a return at Beyrie in 

 1857, in one cutting, of 123,000 kilos, per hcetolicre, 

 or about 48^ tons per acre. It grows from nine to 

 twelve feet in height, the specimen we have received, 

 being fully the latter. It throws out several stems 

 from the root ; and when intended for sugar making 

 the weak shoots are taken off, leaving from three to 

 five only of the stronger ones. But when it is intended 

 for fodder this is unnecessary. In France it is used in 

 the making of wine ; and two ares of land, which are 

 239 square yards, yielded 132 gallons of excellent wine. 

 In distilling, the ripe plant will produce from 7 '45 to 

 9"80 per cent, of alcohol. This refers to the south. 

 It is estimated that 44,000 kilos, of green sorgho are 

 equal to 10,000 kilos, of hay, in nutritive properties. 

 The cattle are remarkably fond of it, and will leave any 

 other food whatever for it, 



THE AMERICAN WOOL TRADE. 



We give below the circular of the Cleveland Wool Dep6t 

 for July. It ia encouraging to wool ownera. It aaya : — 



" Our receipts at the present time are very brisk, although 

 the amount ia atore at thia time ia not equal to that of former 

 yeara, which may be attributed to the unfavourable weather 

 for shearing. Having made no sales of our medium grades, 

 we are unable to quote pricea of same. We have effected aalea 

 of our extreme coarse and fine grades, which we quote at 30 

 cents for No. 5, and 50 cents for super. 



" The indications are far more favourable than we anticipated 

 two months ago, at which time the views of manufacturers 

 were much lower than at the preaout time. During the last 

 two weeks, a large amount of low and meJtum wools have 

 changed hands in thia State, prices starting at 22 to 33 cents, 

 and, by the competition of buyers, rapidly advancing to 28 

 aud 40 cents. The averaje price paid in this country at this 

 time is about 35 cents, which, however, does not command the 

 best clips. 



" The manner of operating so far, thia season, has been un- 

 like that of any former years. Agents have had positive 

 instructions not to exceed a given price for any quality of wool, 

 and this has had the effect to bring out a much larger propor- 



tion of low wools, and to leave a much larger proportion of 

 fine to be aold, than during any former yeara. We have heard 

 of a few fine clips being bought through the country at 42, 

 44, and 45 cents. Our advices from Michigan are very relia- 

 ble, giving a similar atate of the market there, prices starting 

 at 27 to 31 cents, and advancing quickly to 33 and 35 cents. 

 We are adviaed that one prominent buyer has withdrawn from 

 the market in Michigan, deeming the latter rates too high. 

 The wool market through the west presents quite an anomaly. 

 Manufacturers measure the pricea they wish to pay by their 

 good or bad luck during the paat six months, whilst speculators 

 seem to measure them by the amount of money they can com- 

 mand, and the competition surrounding them. 



" Those who complain of too high prices, follow in the wake 

 of the bolder operators, aud are rapidly taking up the coarse 

 wools at satisfactory prices to growers, except in certain locali- 

 ties, where pricea remain low. We would advise growers in 

 such places to hold their wools until they are wanted for con- 

 sumption, and abide the result of a more favourable market. 

 " Your obedient servants, 



" GooDALE Si Co." 

 — Ohio Farmer, 



