80 



NORTHERN SUGAR INDUSTRY. 



4. The beets were not equal as regarded quality. The unusual con- 

 dition of the season and the tard}^ harvest were probably the causes of 

 their failure. 



The fact that the sorghum did better, in spite of the same unfavor- 

 able climatic conditions and the same condition of cultivation, is a cir- 

 cumstance to be considered for the purpose of^ encouraging the manu- 

 facture of sugar. 



Studies on sorghum intended to demonstrate the utility of its culti- 

 vation in a chemico-agri cultural point of view should be repeated in 

 order to ascertain the changes which take place in its constitution, not 

 at previously fixed times, but continually, in order accurately to ascertain 

 the phase of development in which the gathering may take place with 

 most advantage, and to determine what appearances accompany that 

 phase and the peculiarities of constitution which correspond thereto, 

 and which are most easil}^ observed." 



The rei)ort of the Minister of Agriculture next gives tables of the re- 

 sults of the culture of sorghum, and from them the following conclusions 

 are drawn : 



"CONCLUSIONS AS TO THE SOIL INFERRED FROM CULTURAL OBSER- 

 VATIONS. 



1. The cultivation of sorghum, even in lands of moderate richness, 

 succeeds very well in the same conditio tis as that of common maize, and 

 when the chemico-industrial question is settled there will be nothing 

 to fear in this direction. 



2. The seed of acclimated sorghum gives a larger yield and a more 

 vigorous plant than the original seed. 



3. For the quantity of the yield sowing in line is preferable to sow- 

 ing in tufts. 



4. The yield of the stalks of the sorghum increases in quantity from 

 the blossoming to the fecundation and the maturation of the seed ; 

 then it diminishes somewhat, and increases again after the autumnal 

 rains. 



5. In grounds tending to form a crust, the depth of planting must 

 not be greater for sorghum than two centimeters, the depth of three 

 centimeters having been found excessive even in the present case. 

 Besides, as to the sowing, it is to be observed that it should not take 

 place too early ; it should be delayed until a stated season in the spring, 

 from the first to the last of May. To sow earlier, with the unexpected 

 return of cold, sorghum suifers, and in an 3' event is injured considerably. 



6. The enemies by which sorghum has been heretofore attacked are 

 insects (which are easily destroyed by insect-powder made from tobacco) 

 and birds. It is further to be observed, first, that whilst the leaf of the 

 beet is often found injurious to animals fed upon it, causing among other 

 things diarrhea, the sorghum leaf, on the contrary, makes good fodder j 



