122 



SOKGHUM, 



Time, from Planting, to Reach, etc. — Continued. 



TIME FOR HARVESTING CROP. 



When the Maximum Content of Sugar is Present in the Sorghum. 

 No conclusion established by the work of the Department of Agri- 

 culture, practically considered, is of greater importance than the pos- 

 itive ascertainment of that period, in the development of the several 

 varieties of sorghum, when their juices contain the maximum of cane 

 sugar. 



Conflicting Testimony Before this Investigation. 



On this point, there has existed, during the past twenty years or 

 more, the greatest discrepancy in statement ; and the general opinion 

 prevailing has been very wide of the truth, as established by all these 

 experiments. 



As evidence of the great diversity of opinion concerning this impor- 

 tant matter, which existed previous to the experiments at Washing- 

 ton, the following quotations are made from the reports of various 

 experimenters : 



a. In his report on "Early Amber Cane," by Dr. C. A. Goessmann, 

 of Amherst, Mass., 1879, he says, page 9: 



The safest way to secure the full benefit of the Early Amber Cane crop, for 

 syrup and sugar manufacture, is to begin cutting the canes when the seed is full 

 grown, yet still soft. 



h. In the " Sorgho Hand-Book," published by the Blymyer Man- 

 ufacturing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1880, it is directed, upon 

 page 8 : 



The cane should be cut when the seed is in the dovgh, and several days 



