The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-10-28
CAUTION REQuIREpIN SELECTING SEEDS

OF THE CHINESE SUGAR MILLET.
Within the last few days learned from
more careful observer than myself, that there
are plants growing among the Chinese Sugar
Cane Or Mlllet which have no sacharine juice,
aud yet are so similar that they would not be
suspected TO be different, without tasting the
sap. All the crops observed to be thus mixed,
are Of the second years growth, from seed
supplied from the Patent Office. II may be
that this seed Tor intermixture D is mt
general. But every cultivator will do we'll
to examine his plants saved for seed, and TO
be sure that all such non sachsrine plants are
excluded. The c0unterfeits may be readily
known by tasting the sap Of the green stalk.
Even without this surest test one who has well
compared the two plants, may distinguish
them by the eye. The sweet or true plant
has its seeds covered by close fitting sheath
or envelope. which when ripe, are perfectly
black and glossy on the outside. Some Of
these sheails. (but not generally have fine
and soft hair, less than quarter Of an inch
long. extending from each. The other plants
have most Of the seed covers Of a brownish
black color, not glossy, except a few Of the
seeds, and with hair about half an inch
long. standing out from every seed cover.
The pitch is white, comparatively sspless,
and without sweetness. These plants are
generally the tallest aud strongest, and stand
erect in many cases after all the surrounding
true canes have been prostrated by wind.
The heads of the worthless plant are usually
larger. fuller, and more beautiful, and hung
slightly and gracefully dropping to one side.
Specimens Of both plants have been placed in
the Office Of the State Agricultural Society.
There are rules for selecting seeds oil the
true cane, whether African or Chinese, which
il may be we'll to observe, or at least to test,
but which report upon information, without
any personal experimental knowledge Of the
facts. from Mr.. Leonard Wray the introduces
Of the Natal Sugar Millet, (or "imphee'
into France and this country. llately heard
the practice Of the kafiirs, directed by long
experience, is TO cut off the heads designed
tor seed when they are barely ripe enough iol
the seeds to gerlninate. The proper time j.
when the seed is still partly in the milky state
and when the solid and harder part Of each
seed may be mashed between the finger ant
the thumb. The theory il, that unripe seed
produce growth that goes most to sugar, ant
ms inter, the most perfect or fully rIp'
seeds are more productive Of seeds than sugar
1 Late as il now is. this notice may still en-
able many persons to test the opinion. b,
saving. and next ear trying their latest seeds
which otherwise would be rejected as unrlp'
and of no value.
II this African practice is correct, and th'
opinion on which il IS founded. the counterfeit
Chinese Sugar Milet may be the result 9
successive paintings Of veil riPenei seeds
Either this plant IS new production, degen
Grated as TO sugar, but improved as TO grain,
owing 10 some cause, otherwise there mus
have been some lew seeds Of this a dlferen
Sorghum not distinguishable among some I
the true seeds Of the Sugar Millet distribute
from the Patent Office.
EDMUND RUFFIN.
oa,l 1877