436 



SORGHUM. 



It is to be remembered that maize has been grown for centuries as 

 a source of grain only, and to that end varieties have been selected and 

 developed. It is found, even now, that very great differences exist in 

 the several varieties, in regard to the juicy character of the stalk, 

 and in its content of sugar. Some varieties have a spongy stalk, 

 quickly drying up, and yielding little juice upon pressure; others have, 

 even when the grain is quite hard and ripe, a heavy, juicy stalk, re- 

 sembling the sugar-cane or sorghums, and this juice is found to be rich 

 in sugar. Differences quite as great are found in the sorghums, as will 

 be seen upon page 101 ; and it is quite possible, if not even probable, 

 that, by a few years of careful selection, varieties of maize may be 

 grown, the stalks of which shall be more valuable for sugar than is the 

 crop for grain, even though the product of this may be but little 

 diminished. 



The following tables give the acidity of two varieties of maize 

 juices — one sweet, the other field maize — which may be compared 

 with similar tables for sorghum juices upon page 253 : 



CORN JUICE, ACIDITY. 



Egyptian Sugar Corn. 



