442 SORGHUM. 



Analysis of Syrup. 



Per cent. 



Sucrose 65 70 



Glucose 13.07 



Of this syrup, 53 per cent was obtained as excellent sugar, and 47 

 per cent as molasses, which afterward gave a second crop of sugar 

 crystals. This re:^ult is equal to a yield of 618 pounds of sugar per 

 acre from first crystallization, and 44 gallons of molasses, besides the 

 crop of ripened grain. 



In 18S1, owing to the drought, a less yield of ripe grain was ob- 

 tained than in the last experiment, only 48.4 bushels per acre — but the 

 available sugar in the juices gave a yield of 366 pounds of sugar per acre. 



While, therefore, the yield of sugar and syrup from maize is less 

 than that from sorghum, it would appear worth while to pursue these 

 investigations, since the results already obtained show the presence, 

 in the stalks of our common varieties of maize, of an amount of sugar 

 far more valuable than is the grain, and which may be readily secured 

 by the same processes employed in the extraction of sugar from the 

 sugar-cane and sorghum. 



The general practice of drying the corn upon the stalk would, of 

 course, have to be modified, in case the stalks were to be used for syrup 

 or sugar production ; but there is no doubt that means could readily 

 be devised to accomplish this result. ' 



In the case of sweet corn, which is plucked while immature, there 

 is no reason why tlie stalks should not be thus used ; and, since they 

 retain their content of sugar for weeks after tlie ears have been re- 

 moved, there is ample time to utilize what is largely a refuse materiak 

 Besides, if it shall be found that the profits of canning may be en- 

 hanced by tins additional product from the stalks, there is reason to 

 believe that this business, already so extensive in certain sections of 

 the country, might be greatly enlarged, and, by exportation of canned 

 corn, increase a demand for the crop, which even now occupies fully 

 38 per cent of all the cultivated land of the United States. In 1880 

 over sixty-two million acres of land were in maize. Although it may 

 be premature t) declare the utilization of any portion of this enormous 

 acreage of stalks for sugar and syrup production, it is true that at 

 present they are, for the most part, practically wasted. It is also, be- 

 yond question, true that they contain, at the very least, twice as much 

 sugar as would supply the United States. That the economical pro- 

 duction of this vast amount of sugar is only a question of time is 

 probable. It yet remains a promising field for future investigation. 



