THE CHINESE SUGAR-CANE. lOl 



between those hills that were shaded and those that were 

 wholly exposed to the sun ; and, in the end, not only a varia- 

 tion in the height of nearly one half, but those that were the 

 most shaded failed altogether to spindle out into seed-blossoms. 



The extreme height of the most favored hills must have 

 ranged from ten to twelve feet, judging by the eye, and nearly 

 or quite every seed planted threw up a stalk. Notwithstand- 

 ing I had not hoped, owing to the period of its planting, it 

 would mature, much of it did ; and, though an early October 

 frost checked it (for it was on low land), a good part of the 

 seed ripened, and I propose planting some of it the next year. 



I think the following facts are satisfactorily developed from 

 my experiments : 



First. That seed grown here will produce plants as perfect 

 as the imported seed : in other words, that the cane can be 

 perfectly acclimated in our state. 



Secojid. That it will probably mature in any season when 

 Indian corn will. 



Third. That it requires a sunny exposure, as corn does. 



Fourth. That it does not need excessive artificial fertiliza- 

 tion : or, in other words, does not excessively exhaust and 

 impoverish the soil. 



Fifth. That, as a green fodder, it produces more food for 

 cattle on same space and at same cost than corn. 



Sixth. That cattle prefer it to corn fodder ; for I repeat- 

 edly gave it mixed with corn-stalks to cows, and it was amusing 

 to see them carefully select the sugar-cane from the corn-stalks, 

 eating the former first, as I have seen hogs pick out pears 

 from apples. 



Seventh. That it is much more juicy and nutritious for 

 milch cows than any other fodder ; for it is well known that 

 sugar contains more nourishment than almost any vegetable 

 production in daily use. 



