M. VILMORIN’S RESEARCHES. 825 
Lime, which perfectly clarifies the juice, cannot be applied to distilla- 
tion, because of the disagreeable odors which it develops. 
Relative to the cultivation, there will remain certain points to be 
decided upon. According to the observation communicated to me by 
M. Ponsart, the grain requires, for perfect germination, to be very 
slightly covered, which requires some care in the field sowings ; for, in 
this case, a large number of seeds will be lost, because of the fact that 
the harrow covers them with too thick a layer of earth. This explains, 
perhaps, that in the countries where they cultivate the common sorgho, 
it is customary to use one decalitre to one and a half decalitres for the 
drill crops, and from five to six decalitres for broadcast sowing ; whilst 
the enumeration of the seeds contained in a kilogramme would show, 
by calculation, a quantity of grains five or six times less. 
The plants should necessarily be cultivated in drills, in order to give 
them thorough cultivation and proper care; these are indispensable, 
especially during the infancy of the plant, which is sometimes quite 
protracted. The plan proposed by M. Ledocte—to associate with 
the plant we cultivate, when it germinates or develops slowly, another 
of rapid growth, such as colza, lettuce &c., so that in a very short time 
the eye of the farmer may distingnish the lines or plots occupied by 
the plants which his cultivator should spare—seems worthy of being 
recommended in this case; because the fine sprouts of the sorgho, 
being confounded with grass, renders the operation of the first cultiva- 
tion very difficult. The layering of the branches proposed by M. 
Heuzé, seems to me but slightly practicable. It is only in September 
that they have become strong enough to be layered, and the plants 
thus procured would not attain, even in a year’s time, a development 
which would warrant their cultivation. I shall have an analogous 
observation to make on the separation of the plant raised in a bed; 
by decreasing the branching, this process would oblige one to plant 
closer, which would compensate for all the advantages to be derived 
from it. 
The experiments relative to the preservation of the stalks, merit 
above all to be followed with attention. Ihave herefotore noticed the 
use of covered pits in Caffraria ; a commencement of drying by the 
sun, having the effect of concentrating the sap in the stalks, might 
