THE SUGAR SORGHO. 281 
is lost. But what a different appearance does a well regulated farm 
present. 
Before entering upon the details of the application of the sorgho to 
general purposes, we will say some words upon the improvement of 
. wine, by means of this plant. 
It is the custom in bad years, when the latter end of the summer 
has been rainy, to add some glucose to the vats, which are in fermen- 
tation, for the object of supplying the lacking proportion of sugar, 
which has. not been elaborated in the grape in a suitable quantity. 
To this end, a few have tried, in different cases, to replace the dregs 
by canes of sorgho rudely broken, and very excellent results have 
been obtained by this means. We think it useful to recommend this 
custom in all cases when the harvest may have turned out bad in the 
localities situated near the North. We know, for example, that the 
wines of the neighborhood of Paris, contain little of alcohol or acid, 
and do not keep well. As to their earthy taste, sometimes very 
marked, it generally arises from the excessive quantity of manure, 
and not of the best, that is applied to the vine. With the sorgho the 
amount of alcohol will be increased, and we will be assured of a longer 
keeping if we will perfect the quality of the wine, and very likely 
abolish this disagreeable taste of which we have spoken. But to ac- 
complish this transformation, this real revolution in the vintages of 
Parisian life, what is necessary? Simply to sow in April, some sorgho 
in a hot-bed, or in a warm border, replant it in the middle of May, in 
a well sheltered corner of the field, exposed to the sun, or even in a 
somewhat more exposed situation, if there is not much reason to fear 
the effect of the wind. You certainly will not gather from that the 
seeds, but you will have good, and very fine stalks, containing, at least, 
ten to twelve per cent. of marc; but the possibility of this latter is 
proved in the perfect success of the experiments on the sorgho of M. 
Jomard, at Lozere, near Palaiseau, and of M. Vilmorin, at Verries. 
As a forage plant, the sorgho has a great interest. From the South 
to the farthest northern extremity of France, it will be cultivated with 
profit for this crop, which it yields in such great profusion. In the south- 
ern departments and in Algeria, by the assistanee of irrigation, it will 
caquire a great importance, by reason of the abundance of its yield, 
