18 SORGHUM. 



That such a loss is permitted to continue, is a reproach to the industrial 

 science of the country. 



The variety of soil best adapted to the development of sorghum ; the 

 effect of the various fertilizers upon the several varieties of soil ; the 

 effect of our climate and soils upon the sugar producing capacity of the 

 many varieties of sorghum ; the effect of various methods of cultiva- 

 tion of the plant; the possibility of producing by skillful hybridiza- 

 tion varieties more valuable than any now known ; the growing and ex- 

 amination of varieties as yet unknown to this country; the various 

 methods of defecation and their relative value ; these, and many similar 

 questions, will at once arise to the mind of any one familiar with what 

 has already been accomplished. 



Concerning each and all of these important questions, our knowledge 

 at present is almost nothing. 



In view of the wide area over which this plant may be grown in this 

 country, with the great diversities of climate, it is by no means im- 

 probable that a variety of sorghum may be developed, combining the 

 excellencies of several and surpassing any now known. Such results 

 have been secured Avith the beet, so that the average per cent of sugar 

 present in the best varieties now grown, has been increased one or two 

 hundred per cent over that originally present in the root. Certainly, 

 with such results already the reward of investigation, it is to be con- 

 fidently anticipated that no efforts will be spared that similar results 

 may reward those engaged in the investigation of the sorghum, a plant 

 which is most remarkable for the great adaptability it possesses, as 

 evidenced by the numerous varieties grown in every quarter of the 

 globe. Even while engaged in writing, the author has received several 

 varieties of seed from Asia and Africa, wholly new to this country, 

 and mention has been made in this volume of some twenty or more 

 varieties from southern Africa, quite unlike any previously grown in 

 America. 



The practical determination of what is known as " available sugar," 

 is also a matter of great importance ; since it may be found that the 

 methods for its estimation in the juices of the sugar-cane and the beet, 

 are inapplicable to the juices of sorghum. 



In the purging of sorghum and corn-stalk sugar, it happens very 

 often that this operation is of unusual difficulty, owing to the presence 

 of a certain gummy substance ; and this practical difficulty has been 

 by some so magnified, that the economical production of sugar from 

 these two plants has been confidently declared impossible. 



In the experience at Washington, as well as that at many other 

 places, this peculiar substance has been found often to be present in 



