OF AGllICULTl/liE. 43 



broadcast, and treated in the same manner as Indian 

 corn, when grown for that use. . 



The height of the plant varies from six to eighteen 

 feet, according to the locality and the condition of 

 the soil; the stalks ranging from half an inch to two 

 inches in diameter. The weight of an entire crop to 

 an acre, when green, varies from ten to forty tons, 

 The amount of seed will range from fifteen to sixty 

 bushels to the acre. 



During the earlier stages of the growth of this 

 plant, say for the first six or eight weeks, it makes- 

 but little progress, except in penetrating the ground 

 with its roots ; it then grows off very rapidly. The 

 period of its growth, varies from ninety to one hun- 

 dred and twenty days ; the seeds often ripen unequally 

 in the same field. 



The yield of juice from well trimmed stalks, is 

 about fifty per cent. The number of gallons of juice- 

 required to make a gallon of syrup, varies from five 

 to ten, according to the locality, the nature of the 

 soil, and the condition and the maturity of the canes. 

 The yield of syrup per acre, is from one hundred to 

 four hundred gallons. The -amount of pure alcohol 

 procured from the juice, ranged from five to nine per 

 cent. In cases where the plant is well matured, and 

 grown upon warm, light soil,, the juice will yield from 

 thirteen to sixteen per cent, of dry, sacharine matter ; 

 from nine to eleven per cent, of which will be well- 

 defined, crystalized cane-sugar. 



A very palatable bread may be made from the flour 

 ground from the seeds of this plant. By accounts 

 from all parts of the country, this plant is universally 

 admitted to be a loholesome, nutritious, and economical 



