PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 169^ 



November 29, 1864. 

 Mr. Natlian C. Ely in the chair. 



Sorghum — Where is its Northern Limit of Growth ? 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — We stated, in a late report of proceedings, that 

 BorghuMi would not be likely to nucceed north of 43 decrees. A corres' 

 pondent in Wisconsin says we are mistaken, as he has made this year a 

 thousand gallons of syrup, and he liv(^8 on the line of 44 degrees. The 

 canes were grown from seed ripened there the previous year. Some of the 

 oane was fit to work on the 15th of August. I began n)aking syrup the 

 25th. Much of the cane was Irom ten to fourteen feet high; most of it 

 matured its seed. The White Chinese and Imphee are most trustworthy, 



Sorghum Sugar. 



Mr. F, K. Phoenix, Blooniington, 111., sends two samplcfs of sorghum 

 sugar, made by Th(jma8 Moore, who has discovered the art of converting 

 any sorghum syrup into sugar. He prefers Otaheite or gray Imphee, but 

 Biiccecds with molasses of any other variety that has not been seriously 

 deteriorated, or had the juice ruined by bad management. Mr. P. says 

 that ^Ir. Moore's theory is that the saccharine matter of sorgun) sirup is as 

 much cane sugar as that of the Southern cane, and that, properly treated, 

 its sugar can be extracted equally well. He claims to have produced from 

 2^ to 8 pounds of good sugar to the gallon of syrup. After experimenting 

 many months he says he has reduced the matter to a scientific certainty, 

 and produces good speciniens to back his asseitions. Herewith lind two 

 of his samples, one from the juice of the Otaheite cane, the other iVom a 

 common dark sorghum molasses taken from a store. Before making his 

 process public, he desires to place the matter beyond cavil by establishing 

 a factory and making sugar in large quantities. If people write him they 

 must pay return postage. He states that in a few weeks he expects to be 

 pr(>pared to mak(; sugar by the barrel of such molasses as can be " picked 

 up," that will answer the purpose, I learn that there is talk of calling a 

 Sorghum Convention here some time this Winter, to get the people of this 

 section, especially, fully aroused, to -the importance of planting the best 

 varieties of sorghum largely next season. Any general or suitable inqui' 

 ries you may propose to him I tiave no doubt will be courteously answered, 

 Mr. Moore claims to have reduced the vexed question of sorghum sugar 

 making to a practical and scientific conclusion, in which there can be no 

 failure if the principles are fully carried out, as he is making sugar from 

 molasses bought at the stores, and it is expected that his process will 

 enhance [uices of niolasses. He also intends to refine and purify and de- 

 odorize molasses for farmers at a small expense, enhancing its value one- 

 third. 



Mr. ^Vm. S. Carpenter.- — The sample of Otaheite cane sugar is a very fine 

 Bpecimcn, and wf)uld bring in this market 23 cts. per lb. The sample made 

 from sorghum molasses W(ju!d be worth 21 cts. per lb. 



Apples for Illinois. 



Mr. Henry Morey, Babcock's Grove, twenty miles west of Chicago, sue- 



