SUGAR. 423 



that variety is best for any locality which matures earliest an4 remains longest in a working 

 condition. An improved Early Amber, known as the Minnesota Early Amber, is much cul 

 tivated in the Western States. The improvement of this variety was secured by selecting 

 seed from the finest crops of Northern growth, and sending it to a Southern latitude to be 

 grown, on the principle that when cultivated in a high latitude for several consecutive years, 

 canes will naturally degenerate. The result was an improved variety with respect to the 

 weight of cane per acre, and the amount of saccharine matter produced. 



As an agricultural product, sorghum has become within the past few years one of con 

 tinually increased importance in this country, especially in the Western States, owing to the 

 improved facilities for manufacturing sugar which are at present attainable, a lack of which 

 caused so many farmers to abandon its culture shortly after its introduction into the 

 United States. 



A large proportion of the sorgo grown in this country has formerly been manufactured 

 into syrup, but at present sugar is being made to a considerable extent. When the most 

 approved methods of crystallization are better understood, and the use of better mechanical 

 appliances in the various processes of sugar-making are more generally employed, we see no 

 reason why the cultivation of sorghum in this country may not prove very profitable to the 

 farmers, and highly beneficial to the nation generally, since sugar is an article of food in 

 great demand; and if the home product could be largely increased, the necessity of sending 

 millions of dollars annually abroad for the imported article would be obviated, and the enor 

 mous sums thus expended be retained at home. Besides, if farmers produced this crop only 

 in sufficient quantities for home consumption, it would prove an economical and profitable 

 enterprise in a small way, and they would also be sure of being provided with a pure, unadul 

 terated article, which they cannot be assured of in purchasing the vast quantities of glucose 

 sugar and other vile compounds with which the markets are crowded. 



As with the tropical sugar-cane, the leaves and tops of the stalks of sorghum, as well as 

 the bagasse, or refuse cane from the mill, furnish excellent fodder, while the seed is valuable 

 as food for domestic animals, its nutritive value being but little less than that of corn. 



Soil and its Preparation. Sorgo may be cultivated on any soil suited to the suc 

 cessful production of wheat or corn. The best for the purpose, however, is a light sandy 

 loam. It has been found that the quality of the juice of the plant is largely affected by the 

 soil upon which the crop is grown ; for instance, while black, heavy soil will produce a vigor 

 ous growth of the cane, the juice of such plants will aot be as rich in saccharine matter as 

 those grown upon a light sandy loam. Sandy uplands fertilized with well-composted farm- 

 manure, chemical fertilizers, lime, plaster, or wood-ashes, will give exceedingly good results. 

 Wet lands are not adapted to this crop, and should first be thoroughly drained before 

 attempting its culture. Clay soil will produce a product of good quality, but the yield will 

 not be large. New lands, if of the proper quality, will produce well, but fresh manure will 

 give unsatisfactory results; hence, when yard-manure is used, it should always be first well 

 fermented. A compost from the pig-sty is exceedingly valuable in the cultivation of sorghum. 



The soil should be made rich in order to produce a rapid growth, that the crop may 

 mature before there is any danger from frost. Vegetable or yard -manure plowed in, in the 

 fall, will greatly improve clay lands for this crop. 



The tillage for sorgo should be deep, and the soil well pulverized. When the land is 

 plowed and thrown into ridges in the fall, it will be in a better condition for working early 

 in the spring. As a general rule, the land for sorghum should be prepared in the same 

 manner as for corn. In some sections, where the land is inclined to be too wet, ridge-culture 

 is practiced; but in such cases draining will give better results. 



Planting. It is of the highest importance that the seed for planting should be of the 

 best quality. That produced by the most thrifty plants of the most desirable variety should 



