448 



a ByBtem of teuantry, under which the proprietors need have nothing to do with the 

 ©oltivation of the crops, but simply to take them off with the necessary machinery^ 

 upon ehares. Many small planters are also engaged in growing cane, and being with- 

 out means to purchase machinery, they have their cane ground at the neighboring 

 mills. A better article of sugar is being made here than formerly. Many new defeca- 

 tors are in use, and some of them are really valuable. The first steamer direct from St. 

 liOuiB is due here this week, which gives planters promise of a better market for their 

 sugar, and a more direct means of obtaining western supplies — the traditional cause of 

 impoverishment in the South 



La Fourche Parish, La. — Weather unpropitiously warm, and many have stopped 

 grinding. From what I can learn planters are disappointed in the yield. 



St. Landry Parish, La. — Continued warm and wet weather has injured the crop. 



St. Mary's Parish, La. — Plant cane is above average in quantity and quality, while 

 the Btnbble cane is far below the average in quantity, due to the severe cold of last 

 December. 



Jefferson Parish, La. — Plant cane much better than last year ; stubble not as good, 

 injured by tlie cold weather of February last. The storm of October 3d damaged tlie 

 crop by breaking the roots, and the warm weather has started the roots ; no grinding 

 yet. 



Bapides Parish, La. — Quite unpromising, although the season thus far has been pro- 

 pitious. No frost up to date (November U) to injure it. Grinding is being delayed as 

 long as possible to give the plant time to improve. December 1, yielding very poorly ; 

 500 pounds or less per acre. Best cane fit to be ground. 



Gonzales County, Texas. — The culture of sugar cane is on the increase in this county. 



Hardin County, Texas. — Cane good, but late. Should the frost be late will have a 

 good crop. 



Smith County, Texas. — Increased attention being paid to the culture of sugar-cane, 

 the " Ribbon cane," so called. Sorghum is not so much grown as heretofore. 



SORGHUM. 



There b;is been an increase in the sorghum product of the country 

 west of the Mississipi)i, but Wisconsin is the ouly'State east of that 

 river which does not report a decrease : 



Cherokee County, N. C. — The cloudy, wet spell in August caused the sorghmn to take 

 Bomething like lUst or rot. This crop has failed for two years. The yield has been 

 email and poor, and the molasses is dark with bad flavor. The stalks appeared to rot 

 at the joints. 



Ketidall County, Texas.— SorgTium seems to luxuriate in a dry climate, as the yield 

 comes up to an average, notwithstanding the drought. 



Gonzales County, Texas. — Sorghum is raised in quantities sufficient to supply the home- 

 demand for molasses. 



Williamson County, Texas. — Short, owing to drought. 



Dallas County, Texas. — Sorghum dried up in the field. Drought. 



Monroe County, Tenn. — Sorghum, black-seeded variety, utterly worthless ; other var- 

 ieties good for the season. 



Carter County, Tenn. — Very inferior ; little sweetness in it ; made very poor molasses. 



Boone Coun'y, JV. Va. — Rust, or something of that nature, destroyed at least one- 

 fourth of the sorghum. 



Butler County, Ky. — All the black-seed sorghum rusted by the 15th of September. 

 Some was worked into molasses ; but a poor yield or poor quality is reported. The red- 

 seed variety did not rust, and the yield is good. 



Edmondson. County, Ky. — The black-top sorghum took the rust this year and did not 

 turn out well. Some fields not worth working. The red-top does somewhat better, but 

 does not yield nearly so much molasses as usual. 



Sangamon County, III. — Scarcely any sorghum grown this year. 



Griindy County, III. — The crop has declined more than nine-tenths in the past seven 

 years. 



Layranye County, Ind. — Sorghum is being laid aside, owing to the low prices of other 

 Birnps. Sorghum is worth only 40 cents. 



Dubois County, Ind. — Sorghum was infested with a kind of plant louse, which pro- 

 duced rust and reduced the quantity of sap. 



Poney County, Ind. — Not half a crop, owing to the drought. The juice is stronger than 

 in the cane of last year. 



Medina County, Ohio. — For some reason, the cultivation of sorghum has nearly ceased,, 

 which is to be regretted. 



Floyd Comity, Iowa. — Sorghum ie Iceing favor. But little jjlanted now. 



