HENDERSON'S HANDBOOK OF PLANTS. 



215 



SOR 



help towards the Solution of Certain questions of 

 the highest practical importance. In every case 

 it has been found that the quality of the syrup 

 obtained has been precisely such as the previous 

 analysis in the laboratory of the juice used made 

 probable. An average of the nine best syrups 

 obtained showed a percentage of Cane sugar 

 present equal to 92.7 of the amount originally 

 present in the juice, while an average of the 

 nine poorest (i. e., containing the lowest per- 

 centage of Cane sugar) showed a percentage of 

 Cane sugar present equal to 90.1 of the amount 

 present in the juice. This must not be under- 

 stood to mean that there has been no loss of 

 sugar in the process of manufacture, as such 

 conclusion would be quite erroneous. An ex- 

 periment was also made to determine whether 

 splitting the canes before they were passed 

 through the mill would increase the percentage 

 of juice obtained from the stalks. One hun- 

 dred pounds of butt ends of Honduras Sorghum 

 were split lengthwise, and then passed through 

 the mill. Another parcel of one hundred pounds 

 of butts of the same variety of Sorghum, equal 

 in all respects to the previous lot, was passed 

 through the mill without splitting them. The 

 results obtained were as follows: Percentage of 

 juice obtained from split stalks, 54 per cent.; 

 percentage of juice obtained from unsplit stalks, 

 57 per cent. ; from which it would appear that 

 in this case at least the previous splitting of the 

 stalks occasioned an appreciable loss in jivce. 

 A few of the experiments made giveareasonuole 

 basis for estimating the probable yield of syrup 

 and sugar to the acre; and, therefore, an ap- 

 proximate estimate of the cost of producing su- 

 gar. Below is a tabulated result of a few of the 

 experiments from stalks grown upon the grounds 

 of the department. These stalks were grown in 

 rows three feet apart and in drills, and although 

 a good crop, there is no doubt but that, upon 

 good land, the estimated yield, to the acre could 

 be obtained: 



The first and second columns give the results 

 actually secured, but the several juices were not 

 in their best condition. The third column is 

 the amount of syrup the same weight of stalks 

 would have yielded had they been cut at the 

 proper time. The juice obtained from the stalks 

 by the imperfect means at command of the de- 

 partment was little more than half the amount 

 present in the stalks. The fourth column rep- 

 resents the results attainable by the use of a 

 mill that would give 70 per cent, of juice from 

 the stalks; a result which is possible, and which 

 is claimed by manufacturers of mills. There is 

 no doubt that, when the present industry shall 

 have secured the employment of the capital and 

 scientific ability which have developed the beet- 



SPA 



sugar industry, even these results, which may 

 appear extravagant to many, will be assured." 

 There is much more of this report, but so inti- 

 mately connected with large tabular statements 

 that the two could not be separated, and the 

 tables are too large to be transferred to these 

 columns. We therefore suggest to all engaged 

 in the cultivation of Sorghum to procure this 

 report. It will be of great assistance to them in 

 helping to determine many points relating to 

 culture and the manufacture of syrup and sugar. 



Sheep Sorrel. See Rumex acetosa, the common 

 Field Sorrel. 



Sorrel. See Rumex. 



Sorrel Tree. See Oxydendrum arbvreum, (Androm- 

 eda nrborea.) 



Sour Gum. See Nyssa. 



Sour Gum Tree. See Nyssa. 



Southern Wood. See Arttmesia Abrotanum. 



Sow Bread. See Cyclamen Europceum. 



Sow Thistle. See txmchus. 



Spanish Bayonet Plant. See Yucca. 



Spanish. Lily. See Hymenocallis. 



Sparaxis. From sparasso, to tear; alluding to 

 the lacerated spathes. Linn. Triandria-Afono- 

 gynia. Nat. Ord. Iridacece. 



This genus is fast rising in the estimation of 

 both the florist and the gardener. Varieties, 

 very pleasing in color, are annually raised in 

 Europe. It is a dwarf bulbous family of plants 

 from the Cape of Good Hope, producing flowers 

 about the size and shape of those of the Crocus, 

 the colors of which are now of infinite variety; 



Eure white, yellow, orange, red, purple, and vio- 

 ;t, are to be found.either separate or blended in 

 pleasing variations. They succeed best planted 

 in a frame, where they can have a slight protec- 

 tion during winter. They succeed well also 

 grown in pots in a cool green-house. The bulbs 

 should be potted in September, and kept under 

 a bench until they begin to grow, when they 

 should be given light and water. Three or four 

 bulbs may be put into a five-inch pot with good 

 effect. They increase rapidly by offsets. In- 

 troduced in 1811. 



Sparganium. Bur Reed. From spargan&n, a 

 fillet; because of the ribbon -like leaves. Linn. 

 Moncecia-Triandria. Nat. Ord. Typhacece. 



A genus of marsh plants, of which the Bur 

 Heed is typical, found in almost every part of 

 the world. The root of 8. ramosum and of S. 

 simplex was formerly used medicinally under 

 the name of Radix sparganii, and was supposed 

 to cure snaKe bites. The stem has been used for 

 making paper. 



Sparmannia. In honor of Dr. A. Sparmann, a 

 Swedish botanist, who accompanied Captain 

 Cook in his second voyage around the world. 

 Linn. Polyandria-Monogynia. Nat. Ord. FUiacea;. 

 S. Africana, the only described species of this 

 g nus, is a very beautiful evergreen green -house 

 shrub, introduced into Europe from the Cape of 

 Good Hope in 1790. It is a shrub from six to 

 twelve feet high, with long-stalked, heart-shaped 

 leaves, and clothed with soft, downy, and pretty 

 white flowers in umbels. It is an old favorite 

 in the green-house. Propagated by cuttings. 



Spartina. Cord Grass. From spartine, a rope 

 made from broom. Linn. Triandria-Monogynta. 

 Nat. Ord. GrnminacecK. 



An extensive genus of perennial grasses, com- 

 mon throughout North America and some parts 

 of Europe. They chiefly inhabit wet or marshy 

 places. Some o the species furnish a valuable 

 fiber. 



