Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-05-02
farmers 4epaltmtnt
CHINESE SUGAR CANE.

The Massachusetts Ploughmsn Of the 9TH
| ult., has II sensible article on the Chinese su-
gar cane, which we cheerfully traGsier to our
| columns
Frequent inquiries are made Of us in regard
to he value of this new article offered here
for cultivation. And though we intend to
be cautious in the recommendation OF new
things, we are bound to say that this cane
from China is really worth trying.
Ii is doubted 10y many whether we shall
find it profitable to make our own sugar from
this plant-though if the prices OF sugar and
molasses should continue as high as at the
present time. we much incline to the opinion
that we can make our molasses much cheap
er than to buy the same al any of the grocery
| stores. .-..
1t is certain that Chinese cane will grow
bere in Massachusetts TO the height Of ten
! feet in ground not very rich, and that it will
mature its seed i'll case it has been planted in
due season.
We have had stalks sent to our Office more
than ten feet high, grown in Dorchester in
! lS55--and we had couple of rows planted
in our own field in birmingham. which had
many stalks ten feet high, though the ground
was not rich. 1t was planted rather late in
May. and We did not saye many seeds which
We thought mature enough for planting-but
|
| planting was earlier.
], is certain that the stalks Of this plant
are very sweet and that they Yield MS rich
sup as the sugar cane Of the West Indies
1t is also ascerlained that hogs are quite fond
! Uf the stalks when cut greenland he .ng very
sweet, there seems to be no doubt of their
power to fatten these animals.
lD regard to sugar making from this cane
we can say but lnlle, a. We have bnt little in
formation. IT requires considerable skill to
make sugar, though any one Can make molas-
! ses
Old people have told us that in the time of
the revolution. when sugar aud moasses
! could not be otherwise procured. the common
cnrnstalks were used To make molusses for
Thanksgiving pies hut this practice was dis
continued rs soon as the war was over
1t is believed that this Chinese cane will
afford four times AS much sweetenng as the
stalks Of onr common corn. Still it should
be borne in mind that this cane is a new
! plant. and none have much experience in its
value for sugar or fatlening. Farmers in all
quarters can easily try it this spring and
Judge for themselves. 1t is surely worth
! trial when seeds can be had ut a very little
cost.
As however. a practical encouragement to
the Agricuituralist for trying this product,
we add the following, showing that the Chi
nese sugar cane has been successfully grown
| in Connecticut:
At the regular meeting of the American
Institute Farmers Club Mr. Hyde presented
II sample of molasses made from this sugar
can", and the following account Of ii, by Mr..
i'aley, who made it,
GRotES CssrRE Conn, Feb. 6, 1857.
Dear Sir IL forward herewith, by my
friend Mr. Hyde, u sample Of nolassas made
from Chinese sugar cane grown by me this
season and submit the following as the re-
| suit Of my experience in the matter.
received from Washington about quar-.
ter Of an ounce Of the seed during the spring
ol last year. About the middle OF May
planted in hills as with corn, six seeds IN
hill in space Of about nine Inches the hills
! ueIEg two feet apart. 1t was on side hill,
southern exposure, liz ht silicious soil season
dry and hot space employed about eight
feet 10y sixteen feet square. The plants were
out OF the ground in glteen days, and attain
ed in the growth Of three months pretty
uniform bright Of about thirteen feet, while
the stalks were about one inch i'll diameter
ut the base.
About the 18th Of September, when the
seeds were not entirely ripe, Gearing frostl
cut two thirds uf the lot. removed :he seeds
| anu SIuSHtu III ul tlN Nlucl ts up
right ro rugatrd wooden rollers and from
lhIr impeIiec; process ! obtained five gail"ns
| of juice. which evaporaled to one gallon, ia
AN iron pot. The molass"s found eqqb,r,
The first quality of New Orleans, 4 fine Ga.
grd with sugar granules. j.
Nor and cooks white. cane stood nbont On
! The remanders which time il had exbe. |
days l'ngrrcre frost, hut with no vi. BILE in. |
rlenced ne seed had become fully ,ripe. | |
jn'and Proceeded MS before, obtained ubopt |
TIE Same Proportional qnudti,y of molasses.
oul ol beiiur quality. which may have been
owing 10 more careful manipulation.
lnls Irui gives result OF about three hun.
drd gallons per acre Of first quahly u,olasses
J saved seed tU plant fully an acre. this wear.
'iiali 81 my S,ed has been distributed among
y friends, aud now having iailh in the expe.
.ent shall take more care. planted loo
} ] shall this year try some seeds in the
hg bed aud Transplant. | shall plant in
no, less than three feet apart, runniag
~"d south, and shall keep the planls al
inches apart. thinning out IL neces
tranSpianilng such as take up
ihe first SEED saved sptOut as we'll as ,
4. may aid that MANFRED, slightly \
lirvm the barn Yard. Z
tr SIR. very respectfully yours, 4
:, Esq. GlLEs HlLEf. s
PnIsnN u III nnisnn ehonld ha | n