Best Varieties. 



19 



That variety should be selected which experience has shown to be best 

 adapted to the locality and climate. • It is of course important to select cane 

 that will mature before frost. If the crop in any locality is ^exposed to ,heayy 

 winds, those varieties having a short, heavy stalk should be chosen. 



In sections where the different varieties of Sorghum have been grown foj 

 several years, the planters are enabled to determine such as ajre best for their 

 particular localities. For the benefit of the inexperienced, and those liviijg 

 in sections where Sorghum has not yet been planted to any great extent, we 

 give below a table showing the time required for maturity, and the h,eight and 

 weight of the stalk of the more prominent varieties. 



This table is compiled from statistics by the Agricultural Department, 

 giving the result of their work with Sorghum, from 1880 to 1882 inclusive, 

 on the grounds of the department at Washington. ;; 



Early Amber . . 

 Neeazana .... 

 Oomseeana . . . 

 Early Orange . . 



Liberian 



Honduras. . . . 

 White Mammoth 

 White Liberian . 

 Link's Hybrid . 

 Regular Sorgho . 



Length of Stalk. 



» in. 

 8 in. 

 4 in. 



in. 



in. 



3 

 7 



7 in. 

 6 in. 

 6 in. 

 10 in. 

 6 in. 



Weight with Top 

 and Leaves. 



lb. 



lb. 



lb. 



lbs. 



lbs. 



lbs. 



7 oz. 

 6 oz. 

 9 oz. 



6 oz. 



8 oz. 

 lb. 12 oz. 

 lb. 10 oz. 

 lb. 14 oz. 

 I lb. 13 oz. 



Weiglit Topped 

 and Stripped. 



lb. 



lb. 



lb. 



lb. 



lb. 

 2 lbs. 

 I lb. 

 I lb. 

 I lb. 

 I lb. 



3 02- 



5 o^- 



13 oz- 



5 oz. 



4 oz. 



6 oz. 



5 oz. 



April 29th to 

 working period. 



96 days... 

 113 days." 

 109 daysj. ■; 

 112 days. 

 iz6 days'. ^ 

 126 days. ; 

 122 days. 



92 days. 

 . 96 days. I 

 118 days. 



There is no one section where the soil and climate is equally favorable 

 for all of these varieties, and there are many sections where both the cjimate 

 and soil are better adapted to any one of these varieties than is Washington. 

 Greater length and weight of stalk for all the varieties natned, are reported 

 from many localities. But, as these varieties were all grown under the samje 

 conditions of climate, soil and culture, and during the same; period of. time, 

 the statistics given are of value as a guide to the relative length and .weight 

 of stalks, and time required for maturity. ; , ._ 



Where the length of season will permit, the planter will fi.nd it an advan- 

 tage to grow several varieties of cane, embracing both the early and late. He 

 might select the Early Amber and Liberian, or Early Amber and Honduras, 

 or all three of these varieties, or others. As the early varieties (Early 

 Amber, White Liberian, etc ,) mature in 90 to 100 days, and' the late 

 varieties (Liberian, Regular Sorgho, Honduras, etc.,) mature in 120 to 140 

 days, he would considerably prolong his working season. 



Where the time for maturing is the same, and the juice equally good, of 

 course the heavier the cane the better. As a rule, however j the different 

 varieties mature in proportion to the weight of the crop, and what is lost in 

 weight is made up in the greater length of the working season. 



