SIGXIFICATIOX OF NAMES OF VARIETIES OF SOEGHUM. 79 



rior in its couteut of sugar to the otlier African varieties, and compara- 

 tively of little value. From the above considerations, it would appear 

 as though there existed very marked differences between these two 

 groups of sorghums, not to be ac«ounted for by cultivation, so far as 

 we know. 



In the Report of the Government Farms, Said a pet, Madras, India, 

 Sept. 7th, 1882, mention is made of three varieties of sorghum as. be- 

 ing there under cultivation experimentally : Black Cholum (Sor- 

 ghum vulgare). Planter's Friend (Sorghum kaffrarium), Chinese Su- 

 gar-cane (Sorghum saccharatum). The last two were used in making 

 syrup, and preference was giveu to the Planter's Friend for its greater 

 saccharine value. Mention is also made of broom millet ( a variety 

 of sorghum), and of the Early Amber sorghum, from the Uuited 

 States of America; and it is reported that the tyrup of the Early Am- 

 ber crystallizes far more rapidly, and to a much more considerable ex- 

 tent, than the syrup of either Sorghum saccharatum or Sorghum kaf- 

 frarium. Tlie refuse canes (bagasse) , after crushing, are far more pal- 

 atable to stock than refuse of sugar-cane ; and, judging from its 

 appearance and general character, the refuse sorghum must be far 

 more digestible. • 



SIGNIFICATIOX OF THE NAMES OF THE VARIETIES OF SORGIIUM. 



It will be observed that in the names giveu to the different varieties 

 of sorghum, there is a tendency on the part of those cultivating them 

 to describe them by their physical peculiarities. Thus, we have the 

 '' Sprangle Top," which has a loose, waving seed head ; the " Sumac," 

 which in its close, compact panicle, resembles the seed head of our 

 common Sumac, so well known to our farmers; the "Goose Xeck," 

 owing to the bent culm of this variety, a characteristic which is not 

 uncommon with several other varieties. 



So, too, in the Chinese names, we liave the " Separated Head 

 Stalks," red and white; the Horse Tail, etc. 



Also, in the South Airican varieties, the same tendency apj^ears in 

 their names : as, for example, " Jyeuga " means "loose headed, wav- 

 ing ;" " Hlojoude " is " long headed," etc. 



In this connection, the following letters will be found of interest, 

 being iu reply to letters of inquiry as to the significance of those names 

 of the Imphees found current iu sorghum literature, of which names 

 a list was sent. 



Two of the varieties of sorghum received from Xatal, viz., Ukabane 

 and Umgatubanda, are called Amabele, while the remainder are des- 

 ignated as Imphees. 



