(153) 



seasons the juice makes about 8 per cent, of sugar, while in 

 dry seasons it reaches from 12 to 14 per cent. 



The best soil for growing sorghum is sandy or gravelly 

 loam, and the land that makes nothing else will turn out a 

 fair crop of the cane. It is the one crop that is unaffected 

 by droughts; for let the season be as dry as it ever becomes 

 in this country, the cane grows sufficiently large to produce 

 a good yield. Cane stripped of its leaves will make from 

 37 to 39 per cent, of its weight in juice. 



An acre of first-class land will make 30 tons per acre, and 

 it varies down to 10 tons with the character of soil and cli- 

 m ite, and method of cultivation. The Commissioner of Ag- 

 riculture at Washington caused analyses to be made of every 

 species of cane grown in the United States, and ascertained 

 that the variation in amount of syrup or sugar was so slight 

 that but little attention need be given to the species. He 

 also found out that it makes good syrup and sugar in every 

 stage of its growth, from the milk stage of the seeds to their 

 full ripening, so this peculiarity enables the farmer to begin 

 the process of cutting and boiling down at an early period 

 of its growth, which can be continued for at least six weeks 

 after the full ripening of the seeds. He recommends, how- 

 ever, that it should be boiled down as soon after cutting as 

 possible, as the juice in the ends lerments and some of it is 

 thus lost. 



The poorest syrup makes two to three pounds sugar, while 

 the be&t makes nine pounds per gallon. The medium and 

 average may safely be put at six and a half pounds per gallon 

 of syrup. But there is no loss in it, or not more than two 

 per cent., as what is left makes a choice and superior syrup. 

 It may be safely said that one gallon of syrup will make 

 ninety- eight per cent, of sugar and syrup. 



In Minnesota, where the business has already assumed 

 large proportions, there are but about two months in which 

 to make syrup, while in Tennessee the seasons extend from 

 the 1st of August to the 1st of January. 



