PLANT CHEMISTRY, AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE 
PRODUCTION OF SUGAR FROM SORGHUM 1 
In its broadest sense, a knowledge of plant chemistry com¬ 
prises, at least, a general understanding of botany and physi¬ 
ology, as well as of chemistry. It may be compared to a plane 
bounded by three lines. This simple geometrical figure stands 
for a triple theorem, from which the life-problem of the plant 
is to be solved. 
Tables of analytical data are worthless as facts unless they 
serve for purposes of generalization, or to interpret the physi¬ 
ological changes incident to growth and decay. 
All parts of plants are composed of chemical bodies, and 
are, at some period of the plant’s growth, engaged in certain 
physiological functions. Chemical processes accompany the 
different stages of development. Daily analyses of the plant, 
from its seed to maturity, cannot fail to acquaint the student 
with the order of chemical succession. “Such information 
is of equal importance to agriculture, materia medica , and 
scientific botany.” 2 
I shall not attempt to discuss the chemical analysis of plants 
in all its bearings. Its application to many of our great indus¬ 
tries may be shown; but I have selected the subject of sugar, 
from the number, for illustration. 
The sugar interests of our country concern all. Pharmacy 
needs its quota of sugar, as well for the manufacture of its 
placebo as for disguising the taste of its bitterest drug; and 
the sources of this supply are of special interest to the scien- 
1 A lecture delivered before the Alumni Association of the Philadelphia 
College of Pharmacy, February 8th, 1887. Printed in Proceedings of the Alumni 
Association; also in pamphlet form, under imprint of Burk and McFetridge, 
1887. 
2 “ Plant Analysis as an Applied Science,” see p. 175. 
