26 Sorghum Hand Book. 



to these that the most indifference or negligence has been manifested. In 

 order to test the cane properly, each stalk, previously selected with reference 

 to size and maturity, should be separately weighed and the juice thoroughly 

 expressed. The juice should then be carefully tested by the saccharometer 

 for richness, and accurately weighed for percentage or comparative volume. 

 By these means all the essential qualities of a good rich Cane may be secured, 

 and until they are faithfully employed, complaints about deterioration may 

 be expected, 



PRESERVING CANE SEED. 



It requires but little labor to select, gather and preserve all the seed that 

 may be required by any operator for the next season's planting, and this iiti^ 

 portant work should not be delayed till the hurry and bustle of the grinding 

 season commences. Then, the probabilities are that instead of selecting thje 

 seed, a portion will be indiscriminately set aside from the whole stock with-; 

 out any reference to the quality of the particular stalks, from which it waS 

 produced. 



To secure a rich variety of cane, seed should be selected from good, 

 sweet, juicy stalks, each of which should be examined before the seed head 

 is appropriated as a part of the stock to reproduce from. No matter if it 

 requires the cutting and abandoning of twenty stalks for every one that i^ 

 chosen; the labor will be well repaid by the improved quality of the subse- 

 quent crop. Size of stalk, early or late maturity, uniformity in size, may all 

 be provided for, and in a great measure secured by discriminating appro- 

 priately in the selection of seed heads. 



In order to cure the seed and render it safe from heating, some pre- 

 cautions are necessary. If seed is to be gathered in considerable quantityj' 

 it may be hauled from the field and spread upon a clean grass plat, which 

 may remain until the woody part of the panicle is perfectly dry. Rains arid 

 frosts will not injure it. 



It might, for that matter, be left on the naked ground in the field, where 

 it is gathered, but that the heavy rains beat it into the earth, and in some 

 cases cause it even to germinate After being thoroughly cured the seed 

 may be thrashed or tramped out, or, as is sometimes done, passed through a 

 grain thresher and cleaner. If it is then to be kept for some time, pack it in 

 dry, slack barrels or boxes. Cane seed is very liable to heat and become 

 injured if packed in large bulk either before or after being shelled. More 

 than usual precautions should therefore be employed to put it up and keep 

 it dry, avoiding close, unventilated packages or bins. 



If planters will only take the same pains in the selection and preservation 

 of their cane seed as intelligent farmers do in securing good seed corn and 

 wheat, there will be from year to year a marked improvement in the crop 

 and its product. 



