EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AXD RAES'-FALL ON SORGHIIM. 145 



CHAPTER VI. 



(a.) Effects of temperature and rain-fall on sorghum. 



(6.) Effects of frost on sorghum. 



(c.) Effects of fertilizers on sorghum. 



(rf.) Composition of soil as affecting sorghum. ' 



EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND RAIN-FALL ON SORGHTTM. 



Obviously the climatic conditions prevailing have the most import- 

 ant influence, not only upon the successful growing of the cane, but 

 upon its content of sugar. This has been so conclusively shown true 

 in the cultivation of sugar-cane and sugar beets, that it is of the great- 

 est importance to determine whot conditions are the most favorable for 

 sorghum. 



The ordinary farmer, with his time wholly taken up in the care of 

 his crops and cattle, can hardly be expected to keep accurate data as 

 to the temperature and rain-fall, although his success or failure may al- 

 most entirely depend upon these conditions. On the other hand, the 

 climate, on the average, is pretty generally known for each section of 

 the country, and if those observers who have the opportunity to make 

 record of their work shall compare them, it will within a few years be 

 ascertained in what sections of the country climate and soil conspire 

 to produce the best results, and thus fix the localities where the pro- 

 duction of sugar from sorghum may be most economically con- 

 ducted. 



Nearly all the results of the analyses of the various sorghums, given 

 in these pages, have been secured at Washington, D. C, in the years 

 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882; and the following data from the records of 

 the Signal Service Bureau of this city are, therefore, of the greatest 

 value in the discussion of the results obtained, and it will be seen 

 that many of the results are clearly explicable, by reference to this 

 data alone. 



The consideration of the soils will be taken up at the end of this 

 chapter. 



In this connection, the following passage from " Sugar Growing and 

 Refining," page 21, will be read with interest : 



Climate has a very pronounced effect upon the commercial value of all plants 

 ■whose secretion products are sought to be availed of, and the sugar-cane forms 

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