On the Composition of Sorghum Saccliaratum. 1 



part of stems 6'50 per cent, of crude fibre, and in the upper part 

 13'01 per cent. 

 We have thus 



Proportion of Sugar and Crude Fibre. 



In Stems cut In Stems cat 



2 Inches 12 Inches 



above ground. above ground. 



Percentage of sug;ar 7'65 3-60 



crude fibre.. .. 6'50 13'01 



This distribution of sugar and fibre in the stems of sorghum 

 is interesting in a physiological point of view. Whilst speaking 

 of the distribution of sugar in sorghum, I may state that Pro- 

 fessor Buckman observed last September that, whilst the principal 

 or main stem was quite sweet, the stolons or side shoots were 

 still bitter. It would thus appear that this grass does not ripen 

 together ; the central or oldest stem is perfect before the lateral 

 shoots. Fearing the central stems might get so hard and woody 

 as to become useless as a cattle-food if left in the ground until 

 sufficient sugar is developed in the lateral shoots, Professor 

 Buckman recommends that the central stems should be cut down 

 first; the lateral shoots will then make rapid growth and 

 gradually become sweet. By this simple expedient, the full 

 benefits from the whole of the crop may be secured. 



A comparison of the analysis made in August with that made 

 in September will show several matters of interest. I notice 

 some of the more striking ones. 



1. In August the sorghum was much more watery than in 

 September. In the former month it contained, in round num- 

 bers, 85 per cent, of water ; in the latter only 81 J per cent. 



2. Whilst there was a total absence of sugar in August, the 

 whole plant contained nearly 6 per cent, in September in its 

 natural state, or 32 per cent, when dry. 



3. Instead of sugar, the sorghum contained in August chiefly 

 mucilage and pectin, which constituents disappeared to a great 

 extent in September, and gave rise to the formation of sugar. 



4. The amount of woody fibre is less in the more matured 

 grass than in the unripe ^plants analysed in August. 



5. The unripe plants contain more mineral matter than the 

 grass in a more advanced state of ripeness. 



6. It is particularly worthy of notice to observe the larger 

 amount of nitrogen in the immature grass. In the grass analysed 

 in August there is *41 of nitrogen, notwithstanding the larger 

 amount of water ; whilst in the plants analysed in September, 

 and containing about 3 per cent, less water, only -35 of nitrogen 

 was found. It will be seen that the proportion of insoluble 

 protein compounds is considerably diminished in the September 



