On the Composition of Sorghum Saccharatum, 
383 
produce. The differences in the relative proportion of nitrogen 
in the grass analysed at the two periods appear particularly 
striking, if the compositions of the dried substances are compared 
with each other. It will then be found that there is nearly 1 per 
cent, less nitrogen in the plants analysed in September than in 
the grass analysed in August. 
We have here presented to us a fresh proof that the nutritive 
value of food of the same kind is not regulated by the amount of 
nitrogen which it contains, but rather by the proportion of sugar. 
Indeed, I think it may be safely asserted that all green food, and 
likewise turnips and other roots, are immature, and more or less 
unfit for feeding, when they are rich in nitrogen. Fully ripe 
and very nutritious roots and grass always contain less nitrogen 
than the same food in an immature state, or than food of indif- 
ferent feeding qualities. 
A single year s trial of course does not entitle me to judge of 
the agricultural merits of the sorghum saccharatum ; but I cannot 
help thinking that the climate in most parts of England is 
opposed to its growth in anything like full perfection. Last 
season we had a fine and warm summer ; notwithstanding which, 
neither the field crop nor an experimental plot in the botanical 
garden came to full maturity. They scarcely reached 5 feet in 
height, which is very much lower than the height which this 
grass is reported to reach in America. I notice in a communi- 
cation of Dr. Gossman of Philadelphia that in America the 
sorghum reaches a height of 12 to 16 feet, and that it furnishes 
70 to 75 per cent, of juice, from which Dr. Gossman obtained 6 
to 7 per cent, of good crystallized sugar, besides a quantity of 
molasses. It appears to me more than doubtful that the sor- 
ghum will grow to this height in many parts of England ; nor 
do I think the cultivation of sorghum in England will be remu- 
nerative in furnishing the raw material for the manufacture of 
sugar* or the distillation of spirits. However, repeated trials are 
needed before we can finally pronounce on the value of sorghum 
for the manufacture of sugar, or on its merits as a feeding stuff. 
For the benefit of those who are inclined to give this new 
grass a trial next season, I append the following remarks on its 
culture by Professor Buckman, who says : — 
"The seed was obtained from Messrs. Sutton, Eeading, and sown in the 
beginning of May. The distance apart was 20 inches ; depth (at which seed 
was sown), not more than 3 inches. It came up soon, and for the first 
month did not at all promise the fine aspect it afterwards showed ; but as soon 
as the warm nights came it made rapid growth, and we were thus led to 
infer that too early sowing is by no means a saving of time, though we are not 
quite sure whether getting strong plants early, by germinating in a hothouse 
or under glass with artificial heat, and gratlually exposing them to harden 
before transplanting, would not be advisable, especially where the growth of 
