THE GENESEE FARMER. 



115 



THE CHINESE SUGAB CANE. 



In reply to a request for a description of the Chi- 

 nese Sugar Cane, {Sorghum saccharatum,) we can- 

 not do better than give the annexed cut of the 

 plant when growing. It is related closely to broom 

 corn, botanically, and in appearance. 



OHIKESB BITGA.S OANB, (SOKGHTTU SACOBABATTTM.) 



The eorghum was introduced into France in 

 1851. A few seeds were sent from China by the 

 Count de Montiqnet. These were planted, but 

 Offdy one grew. The next year eight hundred seeds 

 were purchased by the celebrated seed merchants, 

 VrLMOBiN — Andrieux & Co., of Paris, for eight 

 hundred francs. 



In 1854, the seed was introduced into America 

 through the United States Patent Office, and dis- 

 tributed throughout the country. Like all new 

 things, it was extravagantly lauded by some, and 

 under-estimated by others, but it steadily worked 

 its way to public favor. The fact that it contained 

 BUgar in considerable quantities was easily discov- 

 ered, and the labor of extracting syrup from it was 

 not difficult. In the South "Western States it took 



firm hold. Mills for crushing the cane and evapo- 

 rating the juice were rapidly introduced. The 

 climate was well adapted to the growth and matu- 

 rity of the plant, and sorghum syrup soon became 

 an article of commerce. The high price of sugar 

 and molasses, caused by the rebellion, gave a new 

 impetus to the business, and it would now seem as 

 though we should, so far as syrup at least is con- 

 cerned, soon be enabled to dispense with the south- 

 ern product. 



In regard to the cultivation of sorghum at the 

 North, we would refer our correspondent to an ex- 

 cellent article in the Rural Annual for 1863, writ- 

 ten expressly for that work by the Rev. A. Mt- 

 KB8, of Ohio. The cultivation is similar to that of 

 corn, but we have not space to go into the details 

 the present month. 



SCAB IN SHEEP. 



Fbom numerous letters received from different 

 sections of the country, it appears that this trouble- 

 some disease is unusually prevalent. 



The immediate cause of the disease is well known. 

 Like the itch in the human system, and the mange 

 in horses, it is caused by a minute insect, a species 

 of acarus, which burrows under the skin and prop- 

 agates with great rapidity. Prof. Simonds, Vete- 

 rinary Surgeon to the Royal Agricultural Society, 

 instituted some experiments to ascertain the period 

 that elapsed between the deposition of the acarus 

 and the appearance of the Scab disease. He 

 says: 



" First a slight redness came on the skin ; album- 

 nous fluid was exuded, which matted together the 

 adjoining wool. In a few days, definite pain was 

 felt by the animal, which violently attempted to 

 scratch itself by rubbing the part against any re- 

 sisting object. The irritation extended to ten or 

 twelve inches. The disease advanced with rapid 

 progress. Acari had travelled over other parts of 

 the body. In sixteen days, fifty or sixty eggs of 

 the acarus were found at the base of the wool. 

 Large, thickened crusts, of a white appearance, 

 were formed. The health of the animal and its 

 skin became generally affected. Large scales of 

 scabs ensued, which, on being raised, a great num- 

 ber of acari could be detected. Inflammation had 

 ensued on the skin." 



Various remedies are prescribed, and if the dis- 

 ease does not appear until near shearing time it is 

 not difficult to eradicate it. But when the sheep 

 cannot be shorn it is a most disagreeable and 

 troublesome complaint — and none the less so be- 

 cause it is a disease which most flock owners desire 

 to keep secret. Perhaps we cannot do better than 

 to give the remedies proposed by leading agriculttt' 

 ral authorities. 



