PREFACE. 



It is the purpose of this work to present, in a systematic 

 manner, all the most important facts relating to the econom- 

 ical production of sugar, syrup, and fodder from sorghum. 

 The attempt has been made to separate that which is demon- 

 strable from the vast accumulation of statements, true and 

 fanciful, which have been given publicity since the first in- 

 troduction of sorghum into the United States. 



While chemist of the United States *Department of Agri- 

 culture, in the years 1878 to 1882 inclusive, the writer en- 

 joyed exceptional advantages for the scientific study of dif- 

 ferent varieties of sorghum during all stages of development. 

 The large amount of analytical work then accomplished, to- 

 gether with numerous laboratory experiments in various di- 

 rections, have served to demonstrate many important ques- 

 tions previously unsolved or in dispute, and have led the way 

 for larger practical experiments. All the material thus ac- 

 cumulated has been condensed and classified in this volume, 

 and it is hoped that it has been so presented as to render it 

 serviceable and comprehensible alike to farmers, sugar mak- 

 ers, and chemists. 



In like manner, the actual working results of numerous 

 practical experiments in the production of sugar from sor- 

 ghum have been given in detail, together with illustrations 

 and descriptions of all necessary apparatus. Credit has been 

 given to other investigators, and, so far as is known to the 

 author, all important results obtained by others have been 

 included in this work. 



There is no longer any reason to doubt that, when mature, 



(ix) 



