THE CHINESE SUGAR-CANE. 79 



molasses. This, it would seem, is evidence strong 

 enough to warrant a more extended trial of its 

 merits ; and if it will in any way supply the 

 place of cane-sugar, it must of necessity become 

 a very important and valuable acquisition to the 

 agricultural products of the Middle and Northern 

 States. I am fully satisfied that it will ripen in 

 north latitude 42"*, which is about the northern 

 limit of Illinois." 



Extract of a statement of Samuel Clapham, of Suffolk 

 County, New York : 



'' Early in IVIay last I received a small parcel 

 of the seeds of the Chinese Sugar-cane {Sorghum 

 Saccharatum), which I cultivated somewhat after 

 the method of Indian corn. The proper time 

 for planting, however, I should say would be the 

 same as that of early corn, as I find it quite 

 hardy ; and stalks of it cut down the end of 

 October made fresh shoots after two rather heavy 

 frosts, and still were good for feed. From 

 twenty-five plants I obtained half a bushel of 

 ripe seed. 



jjp. a^ 4^ J^ JP ^£* 4^ 



' ' Although in this part of the country I look 

 upon this plant as of great value as a forage 

 crop, yet possibly it may be profitably cultivated 



