384 
On the Composition of Sorghum Saccharatum. 
liolciis is attempted in cold, exposed, or late-growin<x situations : and, in tliih 
case, of course the operation of transplantation should be done in wet weather, 
the saving of seed, and the ensuring of a well-regulated equidistant plant, 
being taken as no bad equivalent for the extra labour and expense. In this 
case the croj) was hoed, but this is a delicate operation with the sorghum, as it 
sends out adventitious roots from the joint immediately above the ground, 
which dip into the soil, and, if not interfered with, aid immensely in forward- 
ing the growth and developmemt of the plant. Hoeing, then, before this 
process commences encourages it, but by no means can it be properly done 
when this is in progress. When, however, the new roots are fully established, 
a careful stirring ol' the ground between the rows (not between the individual 
plants) appears very much to facilitate a larger and, what is more important, a 
i^uicker growth.'' 
Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, 
Dec. 1859. 
The foregoing article by Dr. Voelcker contains some curious 
and instructive facts. That the specimens of sorghum examined 
by him should have contained no sugar at the end of August, 
and up to that time should have been unpalatable to horses and 
cattle, are circumstances which not only liave an important 
bearing on the probable value of the sorghum as a fodder plant 
in this climate, but they show what great changes may take- 
place in a growing plant without any external difference being 
perceptible. This clue if properly followed up is very likely to 
lead to the right explanation of many apparent contradictions in 
the experience of practical men as to the value of any par- 
ticular root or plant as food for stock, and it appears to uie 
highly desirable that an extensive series of observations shouhl 
be made on the changes which take place from time to time in 
the constituents of our root and fodder crops during their whole 
period of growth, but especially at the time of their approach 
towards maturity. The inquiry whether any material alteration 
takes place either for better or worse in the juices or tissues of a 
swede or a mangold at the fall of the leaf, or shortly before or 
after that time, or whether our natural or artificial grasses vary 
much In their composition and consequent value during the 
successive months of spring and summer, involves questions ol 
first-rate interest to the farmer, and might materially assist him 
in fixina: the time for mowins: his meadows or storinsr his roots. 
I may perhaps be considered over sanguine for seeking to connect 
with such an investigation questions of a still more extensive 
character, but it certainly appears to me probable that a suffici- 
ently extended scientific inquiry of tlie kind above named would 
throw considerable light on the whole; question of manures, and 
their effect on the composition as well as the growth of plants. 
Bui whether these ultimate results be realised or not, the dircc t 
