56 AGRICULTURE. 



from " cuttings." Its stalks grow from one to two inches thick 

 and from eight to twenty feet high. It is cut before flowering 

 and the juice pressed out. This juice is evaporated and a 

 dark brown sugar remains, from which the white sugar is got 

 by "refining." 



SORGHUM. This has pithy stalks like maize and sugar cane. 

 There are several varieties of it, one, Indian Millet or doorha, 

 is grown extensively in Eastern countries for its grain for bread 

 making ; another is grown for its sugar or syrup, also as food 

 for stock ; and still another (broom corn) for its tassels, out of 

 which the whisks of brooms are made. The broom-corn tops 

 are cut off while still slightly green and are dried in dark 

 buildings, where they partially bleach out. 



These three members of the grass family, maize, sugar cane 

 and sorghum, are then distinguished from the other grasses, in 

 having their stalks filled, and all contain a considerable quantity 

 of sugar in their juices. Sugar cane grows only in very warm 

 climates, sorghum is found farther north, and maize, although 

 originating in Mexico or Central America, will, in some of its 

 varieties, mature its grains much farther north. 



RICE. This is the great bread food of China and Japan, 

 and is best grown in lands that are mild in climate and are 

 capable of irrigation. The land is prepared as for grain. The 

 rice is sown in drills and covered with about two inches of soil. 

 Then the water is let on to a depth of 12 to 18 inches. After 

 standing for four to six days it is drawn off and the plants 

 allowed to get a good start ; water is again let in for a time and 

 then drawn off before harvesting. The growing of rice upon wet 

 soils gives us the explanation for the scriptural teaching : " Cast 

 thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many 

 days." (Eccl. xi. i.) 



