REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 2 
rately determine the actual cost of the production of sugar from these 
sources, but they have sufficed to settle the question of its production 
with no further care than is required in making good butter and cheese. 
It is the determination of the department that these important ex- 
periments shall be prosecuted to the end, and it is believed that the 
work of another season will suffice to place this whole matter upon a 
sound practical basis. To this end, it would appear desirable that experi- 
ments be made upon a generous scale in the matter of different varie- 
ties of maize and sorghum, different modes of cultivation, the stage of 
growth at which the production of sugar is at its maximum, in order 
that with no further delay than is necessary the country may be pre- 
pared with all necessary data to enter intelligently upon this new 
industry, which promises to be one of the greatest of the near future. 
In addition to the experiments made with maize and sorghum, other 
allied grasses were subjected to the same treatment. A few seeds of 
pearl millet, which had been sown late in the season to test its value as 
a forage plant, produced a large growth of blades and stalks. The pres- 
ence of saccharine matter in considerable quantity was so apparent that 
the stalks were stripped and put through the mill, and the juice gave a 
fair quantity of readily erystallizable sugar of good quality. 
Whether this new sugar plant is worthy the attention of the farmer 
will be definitely ascertained during the coming season, by early plant- 
ing, and by thinning the rows to secure larger growth of the stalks and 
a greater amount of juice. 
An experiment with, teasinte, a small quantity of the seed of which 
had been procured from Vilmorin & Co., of Paris, was made after frost 
had cut the leaves of the plant and injured the stalks, and although a 
fair proportion of sirup was obtained, crystallization could not be in- 
duced, and the results were unsatisfactory. 
While a detailed account of these various experiments belongs prop- 
erly to the body of our annual, mention of them is included in this pref- 
atory report in order that some of the facts known may the sooner be 
laid before those interested, and that they may thus be induced to make 
such preparation during the coming spring and summer for the cultiva- 
tion and manufacture of sugar as may to them seem desirable. 
The very great interest manifested in this matter is evinced by daily 
inquiries from all parts of the United States, and when it is known that 
sugar and sirup of excellent quality can be cheaply made from the juice 
of sorghum and maize, with the exercise of as little skill and care as is 
required in many other farming operations, and with an insignificant 
outlay for machinery and chemicals, thousands in place of hundreds will 
engage in producing them, the more especially when it is seen that they 
are articles as merchantable as wheat in the markets of the world. 
Thus a new industry will stimulate into renewed activity not only the 
agriculture, but the manufactures and commerce of the country, where- 
ever maize or sorghum can be grown, and one or both are already 
familiar plants in nearly.every county in the United States. 
