22 
SOUTHEHN CULTIVATOR 
this plant will enable every farmer in the Southern States 
to make all the syrup required for home consumption. He 
also adds, that the chemists, in in his opinion, will be 
able to discover a method of converting it into sugar for 
export, thus rendering the Chinese Sugar Cane a staple 
production of the Southern States. 
Thus much for Richard Peters’ experimenting. He will 
probably find, by experimenting further, that the cane 
will yield more syrup, if the plant be not allowed to blos- 
som and bear seed. 
This matter was referred to in a former article on this 
subject, to which the readers’s attention is directed. 
This plant was introduced into France in 1851 with the 
expectation that it would supersede the use of the sugar- 
beet in the manufacture of sugar and alcohol. It is called 
there Sorgho Saccharatus or Holms Saccharatus, and was 
obtained from China, known as “ the Sugar Cane of 
North China.” It is said to be one of the richest plants in 
Saccharine property known. 
The sugar beet yields from 8 to 10 per cent, of sugar ; 
the Sorgho from 16 to 20 per cent., from which 8 or 10 
per cent, of pure alcohol can be produced ; and the refuse 
is good feed for cattle. It is said that the Chinese make 
large quantities of sugar from it. If this latter statement 
be true, then it would seem that the art of crystallization 
is understood by the Chinamen. M. "Vilmorin has made 
cider from it, demonstrating that 2,400 gallons of cider 
may be produced per acre from Sorgho. Mr. Wray, 
quoted in a former article on this subject, further states 
this plant will grow wherever Indian Corn will ripen, 
through it matures better in hot climates ; also that two 
crops a year may be raised in the cotton producing States, 
and one anywhere south of 45 degs.; that it does not re- 
quire re planting oftener than the hop ; and that it will 
produce from 3,000 to 4,000 lbs. of choice sugar per acre, 
at each harvest. 
Mr. Wilder, of South Africa, a missionary of the Ame- 
rican Board, writes to the Journal of Commerce, confirm- 
ing Mr. Wray’s statements, and adds, that the plant while 
growing, resembles broom corn. The natives of Natal 
cultivate it for its saccharine juice, of which it yields a 
larger quantity than the common sugar cane, but not as 
rich in quality. 
He remarks that the juice produces from one-half to 
three-fourths as much sugar as the real sugar cane. The 
advantage it has over the sugar cane is, that it grows well 
wherever Indian corn does, and may be raised from the 
seed in four months, ready for making sugar. It will 
grow as well on high land as low, and yields an abun- 
dance of seed which makes good feed for horses. 
Notwithstanding all that has been said of this plant, a 
writer in the Florist, published in Philadelphia, maintains 
that Sorgho, or “Imfy,” is only a variety of broom corn, 
“turned up in a foreign land.” 
The plant under cultivation in New England will, un- 
doubtedly degenerate, i. e , lose its saccharine qualities. 
Hence, it will be necessary in experimenting to procure 
seed from a more Southern clime every year in order to 
retain, or secure the greatest possible amount of sacchar- 
ine juice. 
Many feel inclined to try the plant another season in 
order to satisfy themselves whether or not, syrup, rich and 
palatable, can be produced ; for, say they, if we can make 
a good substitute for molassses, from the product of our 
own farms, though we do not succeed in making sugar, 
much will, however, be gained. 
Richard Peters is sanguine that it will succeed well at 
the South. It will be cultivated there with greater profit 
than in more northern climes. Whatever shall be the re- 
sult in sugar and syrup making, it will, it is thought by 
some, be found a good product for soiling cattle. It is 
hoped that farmers will test if for this purpose. 
As Mr. Peters proposes to plant fifty acres of it next 
year, it is hoped that he will test the saccharine qualities 
of the plant at different stages of the growth of it ; 
also whether the blossoming and bearing seed do 
not materially diminish the saccharine richness. It is be- 
lieved and maintained by some, that the amount of sacchar- 
ine is increased by removing the panicles before it flowers. 
This is, undoubtedly, true. Experimenting can easily 
confirm or overthrow this now quite probable inference. 
In experimenting, farmers must be careful that they are 
not deceived in purchasing seed ; for there are several 
species, and a great number of varieties of Sorghum, Hol- 
cus, and millet near relatives of the botanical family to 
which they all belong, that are of no agricultural value in 
New England, and of little where indigenous. 
Rural Observer, 
{in Massachusetts Ploughman. 
IMPROVEMENT OUR WATCHWORD. 
Editors Southern Cultivator— Having been a sub- 
scriber to your valuable journal for the last six years, I 
have perused its contents with the utmost pleasure, and 
always found its pages replete with entertaining and in- 
structive matter. As I did not deem myself capacitated 
to contribute to its columns, I have never before ventured 
to intrude upon you and the patience of your readers. It 
was not, however, for want of disposition on my part, but 
from my sense of inadequacy for the performance of such 
duty. Were it otherwise, I would not only now, but time 
and again contribute my mite to yours, as well as others 
of my favorite' periodicals devoted to agriculture, and to 
the best of my ability advance ihe farming coMse. Now, 
that it is my adopted pursuit, I am a warm advocate for 
progressive improvement. While I yet highly appreciate 
my former profession, and heartily sympathize with the 
old fraternity, my greatest interest and warmest enthu- 
siasm are with my adopted brethren. Were it my p^-o- 
vince, fain would I tread some, as yet, untrodden track, 
draw upon some unexhausted fund of language and mat- 
ter, and adduce some unstale argument, to arouse our 
brotherhood from their lethargy in the cause most dear to 
us, and upon which the whole train of business pursuits 
depend. It is the mainspring, the lever, by while is moved, 
and upon its success depends the prosperity of all. 
Earnestly would I urge that we adopt Improvement 
as our watchword, not only in the tillage of our fields and 
culture of the various growing crops, but in the preserva- 
tion and improve condition of our soil, by an elevated 
standard and system of farming in every respect. I look 
forward with the most pleasing anticipation to the time 
when the old systems shall have been forgotten, and new 
and improved plans prevail throughout our Southern land 
— when we shall be indepentent of the North for agricul- 
tural implements, improved breeds of stock, poultry, &c., 
and would that I could add of her manufactories, mer- 
chandize and all. But, credit to whom it is due. The 
agricultural sun, which long since rose in the East has 
been rising higher and higher, until it has well nigh reach- 
ed its zenith in our Southern land, and ere it has fully 
reached the more distant West, may not our beloved coun- 
try teem with the most promising and prosperous results '? 
But how is all this to be accomplished % Through the 
medium af agricultural journals, developing practical ex- 
perience and scientific research, and disseminating knowl- 
edge, interesting and instructive to all classes. And, 
“last, though not least,” I would inculcate the principle, 
love the old home I Cherish its memory — cling to the old 
associations — embellish its walks and improve its grounds 
— for it was the home of your fathers. Those hallowed in- 
fluences will be ever present to cheer you in the monoto- 
nous tedium of your routine calling, ever proving a con- 
stant source of emulation. 
