58 THE CHINESE SUGAR CANE. 
demned and abused by hundreds who are cultivating it 
this year. Not because of any fault in the plant, but be- 
cause the most extravagant notions of turning a small 
garden patch into a rich sugar plantation have been en- 
tertained, and the hope has been unwisely put forth by 
some, that, without any of the proper apparatus, even 
without the necessary conditions of growth, large quan- 
tities of crystallized sugar could easily be obtained.. As 
I know by personal communication, in many instances 
these dreams of inordinate wealth have been cherished 
by persons of considerable intelligence, and I sincerely 
trust that should these lines fall under the notice of any 
such, they will not intemperately throw aside a really 
wonderful plant after a single year’s imperfect trial, but 
with me be content to assume more conservative grounds. 
SOWING FOR FODDER. 
In cultivating the sorgho for its forage, it should be 
sown in drills two feet apart, letting fall about fifteen to 
twenty seeds to the foot. I think this method much pre- 
ferable to sowing broadcast, for whilst I believe the 
ageregate weight of fodder would be more considerable, 
it givesa marked superiority in allowing a “root cleaner” 
to be run between the drills, and the growth of enormous 
crops of weeds, which might spring up in broadcast 
sorgho, would be entirely prevented. In addition to this, 
the field presents a more regular and orderly appearance, 
the crop is easier to cut, not so liable to lodge, and in 
cutting off a first crop, the sunlight and air is more freely 
admitted to the roots and stubble, and the second crop of 
rattoons, or new shoots, is more likely to be a full one. 
