154 



move the blame of variableness from tbo sorghum plant, because it 

 would throw out from the seed selections the seed heads from canes 

 which have weak juice which contains little sugar. English horti- 

 culturists call destroying inferior plants "rogueiug," and the sorghum 

 plant now needs constant rogueing. This can best be done by throwing 

 out the seed of canes which have weak juice. 



We can as yet lay down no rules in regard to the selection of either 

 varieties or individuals with reference to the size or yield of seed. This 

 can only be done when it has been settled beyond a doubt that high 

 saccharine content and purity of juice can coexist with a large yield 

 of fine seed. Time and experience only can settle this question, for 

 we have no analogies to guide us. The seed is a most important by- 

 product in sorghum ; it stands alone among sacchariferous plants in its 

 ability to furnish at the same time both a product of sugar and a crop 

 of valuable cereal grain. Both the quality and quantity of the seed 

 produced vary greatly in different varieties; some of them, such as the 

 Honey-dew, White African, White India, etc., furnish a beautiful white 

 seed ; the seed producing qualities could doubtless be easily improved 

 by selection, and the opportunity thus offered is very tempting: but 

 for the present it seems more rational not to expect nature to honor 

 duplicate drafts upon her treasury ; to produce a big crop of seed and 

 a large yield of sugar from the same piece of ground that ordinarily 

 does only the former. While it will never do to attempt to place a limit 

 on the possibilities in the case, much must be done before we can 

 expect to produce a sorghum cane with the sugar content of Links 

 Hybrid or Liberian. combined with the seed head of Doura or Kaffir 

 corn. 



Nothing has been said as yet of a very important element which must 

 be considered in all improvements of a race of animals or plants ; that 

 is, the power of the selected individual to transmit its qualities to its 

 descendants. An individual may be ever so rich in good qualities itself, 

 but if it does not possess also the power of impressing its own character 

 upon its posterity it is not the best one to choose for breeding purposes. 

 This point is well set forth in the letter which we append, from the 

 celebrated seed firm of Paris, wh j have done so much for the improve- 

 ment of the sugar beet, and whose historical connection with the intro- 

 duction of the sorghum plant into ttiis country will lend especial interest 

 to what they have to say with reference to its improvement. 



LETTER FROM V1LMORIN, ANDRIEUX & CO., OX IMPROVEMENT OF SORGIILM. 



PARIS, November 6, 1888. 



. DEAR SIR: Replying to your inquiry as to the best method of improving the sor- 

 ghum plant, we should think that nobody being more acutely aware than you prob- 

 ably are of what qualities are still lacking in this plant, you must, of necessity, be 

 better than any one else in a position to make the first step towards success ; which is, 

 to have a clear and precise perception of the aim to be arrived at, i. e., of the most im- 

 portant feahucj to be added to those already existing in the plant. 



