The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-03-05
DHOORA CORN OR EGYPTIAN
.MIITET "a =,

a late number of the Scientific Amcri-
can says "that this grain is much culli-
waited and extensively consumed in India
and Egypt, and the interior of Africa it
is quite equal in nutritive value to the
average OF English whests, and yields a
beautiful white flour. Professor Johnston,
recently deceased, anslyzed it, and found
that it contained IL Ia per cent of gluten.
Now, since gluten is the chief nutritive
ingredient OF all our grains, this compari-
son OF the professor exhibits at once "a nu-
trit've value Of the Dhoora that surpasses
some of the richest Grains in use for food
of man ot'stock." 1t also quotes Major
L. a. Griffin, of AbDeville, S. c., as stat
ing that it produces from SO to lo0-bu.
shells OF grain per acre.
| have cultivated this grain for three or
four years past, and with a thorough con-
vcllon OF its great value, until this winter,
| have used it only rs food for my poul-
try, which seem quite fond of it, and to
thrive well when fed on it. This season |
was induced to have some of it ground in
the hand mill stones, common on our sea
Island plantations, and was quite pleased
to hnd that, though the flour was neither
white, nor apparently containing as much
as ii Ia per cent of gluten, yet with the
addition OF a little wheat flour, it made
very palataLle hot breakfast bread, espc-
ciMly waii's; and now it is regularly
served 1aiy on my breakfast table, and
my children cat little other bread, and ap
pear quite satisfied with il. l prefer the
waiiies made with this flour, to those
matte with either wheat or rice -four. |
learn from reliable authority, that when
ground on large stones and bolted, the
Hour cannot be distinguished from the
second quality wheat flour, called enid.
dlings," / believe. The Lominv made of
the grlst is quite dark and lumpv, but
vcrytpalatablc.
My experiments have not been at NIL
carefully conducted with a view to test lis
productivcnc>s; but | think that it will
produce twice or thrice as much grain AS
Indian Coru or lands OF the same fcrtili
ty, and have little doa., that on rich or
highly manned soils !, would produce
from 80 to 100 bushels per acre. When
planted carl Y, say first Of March, i, will ri
pen its first crop of heads or cars abon,
the middle OF July, and "iht,iucs heariur
sufficient crops until "killeH by frost. Ii
sown late it vii! grow much taller. bu,
open only one or two crops of heads; and
when thas sown, know of no crop tha,
will produce such prodigious quantity OF
green vegetable suitable either for fodder
or turning under for manure. For cutting
green for fodder, ! think that it will not
bear any comparison in sweetness Of
stalks, with Srrgho or IIulcus Sacchar,
tus or Chinese Sugar Cane, lately intro
dnced. agree with Major Griffin in re-
commencing that it should be sown and
cultivated exactly as we would Indian
| Corn.
For crop Of early provisions for our
selves, our negroes, or our stock Of every
KIND, know OF no grain that can be
compared with it, and for the combination
Of quantity and quality Of product know
Of no equal among all our provision crops.
As it has bcen'cultivatcd in the Southern
States for msny years, there is little doub,
that sntiicicn2y Of seed can he procured
III aImcs, every ncighhorhood. ~.
Yours respectfully,
y" 81 Il. G..
Near Beaufort, January Charles
ton Courier.