132 



SORGHUM. 



this matter to those hoping for good results in the production of 

 sugar. 



INVERSIOX OF SUGAR BY CAXES NOT BEIN'G WORKED PROMPTLY. 



It is possible that there may exist certain conditions of climate and 

 crop, when the cane may be kept even weeks after cutting without 

 great loss of sugar, but the above experiments conclusively prove that 

 such a course is extremely hazardous, and that the only safe course to 

 follow, is to work the cane as soon after cutting it (never more than 

 twenty four-hours) as possible. In harvesting the sorghum, it is often 

 the case that those stripping the cane may get ahead of those cutting, 

 or the mill in pressing the cane, and it is to be remembered that .so 

 soon as the ])lant has been mutilated by stripping off the leaves, or by 

 being broken down by the wind, there is opportunity for the air to have 

 access to the juices of the cane, as is the case in cutting it up, and that 

 fermentation and consequent inversion of the sucrose is liable to at 

 once begin. 



A single experiment appears to have been recorded, showing this ef- 

 fect, by Professor Swenson. 



Effect of Leaving Cane Stripped in the Field. 



One part of a patch of Minnesota Earlj- Amber cane was stripped of leaves 

 and left standing in the field from September loth to September 22nd. It was 

 then cut, and the juice, together with some that had not been stripped, was an- 

 alj'zed, with the following result: 



Cane stripped for one week 

 Same cane not stripped 



Cane sugar. 



11 05 



12 98 



Glucose. 



2.78 



The diminution of sugar is undoubtedly due to the fact, that the latent leaf 

 buds found under each leaf begin to develop into new leaves. These new leaves 

 are formed partly at the expense of the sugar in th*^ canf'. 



