NATURAL HISTORY. 85 



country on the globe, in proportion to the population — is loudly 

 calling the attention of farmers and planters to its production ; 

 and the Chinese sugar cane is regarded by some as a substi- 

 tute for the species of sugar cane most commonly cultivated 

 there, the saccharum ojficinarum. 



But I propose to speak of it in this connection mainly as a 

 forage plant, though it may prove perfectly practicable and 

 profitable to cultivate it for the purpose of making sugar and 

 molasses. Some years ago the practice of sowing Indian corn 

 in drills for the purpose of cutting up green for fodder, was 

 recommended by a progressive agriculturist, and though at first 

 ridiculed, it soon came to be planted in small patches of a few 

 rods square, by practical farmers here and there, till now it is 

 regarded as almost an indispensable crop, not only to carry a 

 stock of cattle through a severe summer drought, when our 

 pastures are short and dry, but to cut and cure in large quan- 

 tities for winter use. The weight and value of an acre of 

 fodder is very great. Of late years there has been an inclina- 

 tion to use sweet corn for this purpose, under the supposition 

 that it possessed a larger quantity of saccharine matter in its 

 stalks and leaves than the yellow varieties. When the use of 

 sweet corn was first recommended, it was said that cattle were 

 so much more fond of it than of yellow corn, that they would 

 select its stalks if tied up in a bundle with the stalks of yellow 

 corn. The same is now asserted of the Chinese sugar cane, 

 and as it comes to me very well authenticated, I see no reason 

 to doubt it. 



Of the economy of the culture of corn to feed out green in 

 the manner alluded to, there can be no question, and no thrifty 

 and prudent farmer thinks of neglecting it ; for if we suffer 

 from drought, as we are liable to every season, he is sure to 

 regret it. Now if a substitute of superior value can be found, 

 of as easy and simple cultivation, every farmer will avail him- 

 self of it. Whether this substitute will be found in the Cliinese 

 sugar cane, remains, perhaps, to be proved ; but so great has 

 been its success thus far as to lead us to anticipate its adoption 

 and extensive cultivation for that purpose. In one case 

 authentically reported, nearly ten tons of fodder were raised 

 on an acre, cut. up and cured, and weighed three months 

 after cutting. This is not at all surprising when«we consider 



