B4 
F) 
thenremoved from the fire and allowed to remain quiet for a few minutes, when 
the impurities subside, forming a dense sediment at the bottom, leaving the solu- 
tion perfectly clear. The clear liquid is then drawn off and concentrated, in 
the ordinary way, to the appropriate density. The finished sirup has a wine- 
like transparency and is entirely devoid of the peculiar odor and crude vegetable 
quality of sorghum. Its taste is mild and agreeable, rather more pleasant to 
many than that of sugar-house sirup. 
What is to be the effect of this process upon the great question of making 
sugar from sorghum? will naturally be asked by all who are interested in cane 
culture. The sugar phase of the sorghum subject is the most interesting, and, 
in the end, must become the most important. It is apparent that much of the 
gummy or mucilaginous matter contained in the sirup is removed by this process, 
and a8 these obstruct granulation, and also prevent the sugar from readily sep- 
arating from the uncrystallizable residuum, it would appear that the operation — 
must favor the production of sugar. Mr. Clough, the inventor or discoverer of 
the process, states that sugar has formed in almost all cases in sirups which he 
Had.refined, though without the use of the ordinary means to favor granulation. 
For making sugar, however, the refining operation should be applied to the juice 
in the first stages. With good healthy cane of the better varieties, the juice 
treated by this process and promptly concentrated, it is believed that sorghum 
sugar can be readily and systematically produced. 
THE SPANISH FEVER. 
The department is endeavoring to collect information relative to this destrue- 
tive distemper. Facts and well-considered opinions are desired from all availa- 
ble sources. The following resolutions have been adopted by the legislature of 
Kansas : 
« Whereas there annually prevails a contagious disease among the cattle of 
this and adjoining States, commonly known as ‘Spanish fever,’ destroying 
large numbers, thereby seriously affecting the interests of the productive indus- 
try ; and whereas such disease is propagated by the introduction of cattle from 
the State of Texas and Indian territory south of Kansas; and whereas the 
want of a scientific investigation of the said disease has rendered void any 
effort to arrest its ravages: Therefore, 
“ Resolved by the house of representatives of the State of Kansas, (the senate 
concurring, ) That our senators and representatives in the Congress of the United 
States are instructed to urge and support an appropriation by said Congregs to 
‘enable the Department of Agriculture to make the said scientific investigation, 
and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each of our senators and 
- representatives in Congress, and also to the Commissioner of Agriculture.” 
The people of southern Texas, conscious of their danger, and distrustful of 
the efficacy of government action for their defence, are taking the matter in 
their hands and organizing vigilance committees to arrest and drive back the 
Texan cattle movement. Such a meeting was recently held, composed of farm- 
ers from McDowell, Humboldt, Clark, and Lyon creeks, and a large committee 
appointed and organized. 
The attention of the Agricultural Committees of Congress is respectfully 
ealled to this resolution and similar suggestions from private individuals. 
