12 SORGHUM. 



these, alternating with varieties of longer periods, may extend the sugar crop 

 over nearly half the year.* 



The late Hon. J. P. Updegraff, of Ohio, in debate, upon the floor 

 of the House of Representatives, declared, that 



The distribution of sorghum seed, by the Department of Agriculture, had 

 brought to the agriculture of this country a greater return than the whole 

 amount which that Department has ever cost since its foundation. Yet it is 

 only a few years since the distribution of sorghum was ridiculed. 



And the Hon. J. H. BurroAVS, of Missouri, in the course of the 

 same debate, declared, that 



The importation and introduction of the sorghum, or African, cane, is one 

 among the many of the practical results of the Department of Agriculture; 

 and, to the people of the North, fell like a blessing from a war-clouded sky. 



HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY IN 



EUROPE. 



To those at all familiar with the early struggles of nearly every great 

 industry, there is nothing surprising in the experiences which those 

 have been compelled to undergo who have labored to develop the 

 sorghum sugar industry. The prejudices of ignorance, the arrogance 

 of conceit, and the malevolence of jealousy, have conspired to belittle 

 and misrepresent, to hinder and obstruct every attempt, to ridicule, 

 rather than encourage : such has been the reception which has been 

 accorded to those who have taken the lead in this enterprise. 



The history of the development of the beet sugar industry, pre- 

 sents much to encourage those who have engaged in the efforts to pro- 

 duce sugar from sorghum and maize; and a brief account will in- 

 terest and encourage those wdio hope to see sorghum sugar produced 

 in sufficient quantity to supply all our wants. 



In 1747, Margraff" a member of the Berlin Academy of Sciences, 

 succeeded in securing from the beet root crystallizable sugar; and he 



"■••We cite, in this connection, the following letter from Col. H. B. Richards, 

 of La Grange, Texas : 



" But now let me tell you about my Orange cane. It is no longer doubtful at 

 all but that the Orange cane will become, in this climate, perennial; and, after 

 this year, I will only plant every two years. I have tested it now effectually for 

 two years, and am convinced that the stubbles will stand colder weather, and 

 more of it, than those of the Ribbon cane. 



" My cane, from last year's stubbles, has larger stalks, is taller, and, in every 

 way, ahead of the earliest seed cane at this time. * ■" ■'•" 



" Yours truly, 



" HENRY B. RICHARDS. 



"La Grange, Fayette County, Texas, April 8th, 1882." 



