THK GRASSES OF THK FARM. 497 



SORGHUM SUGAR CANE (Sorghum saccharinum). 



Within a few yeare past, this ///>//> producing plant has become of 

 great importance in the States lying north of the cane >u^ar /one, and 

 may possil.lv lo rendered still more so in the labour revolutions which 

 lately taken place in the cane sugar regions. 



It is an ancient plant, long cultivated in Asia and Africa, for its 

 harine qualities, and next to the tropical cane, perhaps more product- 

 ive than any other. Its success in making sugar has not yet been 

 properly demonstrated in America, owing, possibly, to imperfections in 

 the mode of crystalization. But if it will simply produce molasses, its 

 value can be scarcely too greatly magnified, in the economies of our soil 

 productions. 



There are several varieties, as African Imphee, and others, but the 

 < 'hinese, now most generally cultivated, appears to be most highly 

 approved, for productiveness and mild and pleasant flavour. 



FLAX (Linum usitatissimum). 



This usually is classed as a special crop, not being so important to 



human welfare as many others, yet of much value, in conjunction with 



m, in the production of valuable fabrics. One of, the oldest 



cultivated crops in the world's history at least 2000 years before Christ. 



Ir is native to Europe, North Africa, and America, with some varieties in 



other parts of the world. The plant is remarkable for the toughness of 



tibre, the elegance of its shape, the beauty of the flowers, which are 



Mtie, red, or white. 



THE GKASSES OF THE FAEM. 



Although much has been said and written on the subject of grass culture 

 there still remains a great work to be accomplished in this important 



Perennial gr. Mtin^ rich, permanent meadows and past un 



generally acknowledged to be the true basis of the agricultural 



ity of a country, c< ns, .ju-ntly the want of these must be a seri>u- 



mvenience and drawback to agricultural communities. What must 



then )><> thought 'f tin- ; followed in many sections of the country, 



making a special 'owing Timothy, which is a .short -lived ^,-ass 



totally unfit fur permanent pasture, to the exclusion of ot 

 1068, many . f tl m ei|uallinu r it for hay crops, but all surpassing it in 

 man'-ncy of meadow and pasturage. 



