114 



EARLY AMBER. 



This is the most widely known of all the varieties of sorghum. It was 

 included in almost every collection of seeds obtained in this or in foreign 

 countries. It was obtained from Australia, from Algeria, and from 

 South Africa, which shows its wide distribution. 



It is an excellent variety for sirup and for sirup-making if the canes 

 are cut when in their best condition. The juice is then comparatively 

 pure and has a pleasant taste. It deteriorates rapidly in this climate 

 soon after it matures. This is a serious fault in sugar manufacture where 

 very large fields of this variety are grown. It also yields less weight 

 of cane and less seed than many other varieties. It will, however, re- 

 tain a place in the list of varieties planted for sugar manufacture. It 

 probably succeeds better in Minnesota and Iowa than in Louisiana and 

 Texas. 



There are several subvarieties of Early Amber; the Black Amber, 

 the White Amber, the Golden Sirup, the Cape May Hybrid, etc. The 

 early varieties given above might be considered sub varieties of the 

 Early Amber, as they were undoubtedly derived from it. 



In the experimental field Early Amber was planted at intervals from 

 May 5 to July 5, and one lot ripened after another, prolonging the time 

 for analyzing the canes. Seeds of Early Amber received from widely dif- 

 ft rent localities were planted to compare the qualities and to observe 

 differences. Amber was also often planted near lots of unknown varie- 

 ties to assist in determining their time of maturity. It is evident that 

 many circumstances affect and vary the time of maturing of a new 

 variety. By comparing it with a well-known variety such as the. 

 Amber, planted under the same conditions, its time of maturing in any 

 season can be accurately determined. 



The first analysis was made .August 24, at which time the earliest 

 plantings were spoiled and some of the later were deteriorating. 



