Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-01-31
A G R nc [ L 7 l r A l..
THE CHINESE SUGAR CANE.

United STATES Patent Office, Dec. 10, 1856.
Sir This new plant seems TO be destined
To take an important position amung onr eco
norncal products. lis seeds were sent some
six years ago from the north of China, by NJ.
de Mcnugny, 10 the Geographical Society of
Paris. FROM a cursury examination Of small
field of ii, growing at Verrrres, in France. in
the autumn. of 1854, Mr.. D. ]. Browne, then
on a missiun from this Office for collecting ag-
ricutnral information AMI products, was led To
infer, that, from the popularity Of the climate
in which it was growing, and its resemblance
in appearance and habit to Indian corn, it would
flourish IN any region wherever that plan, would
thrive. From this source, he obtained some
900 pounds OF seed, which was distributed in
small packages, by this Office, among The
members of Congress, with the view Of expert
men,ing with it in all parts of the Union, and
thereby ascerlaining its adaptation 10 our soil
and climate, In numerous instances, the re.
suits proved highly satisfactory, as it attained
the height OF or 10 feet, as far north as ST.
Paufs, in Minnesota. and malured its seeds at
various points in Massachusetts, New York,
Pennsylvania, Illinois, and other places further
soulh. The following year, willie ia France,
on similar mission as above, Mr.. Browne oh
talnel several bushels of the seed Of This plaui.
grown from that repued 10 have been brought
fIom South Africa, by M. Leonard Wray, of
London, and which has since proved To be iden-
teal with that obtained by this Office in 1854
There appears To be doubt among many in
Europe, as well as in this country, as 10 the
true botanical name Of this plant. NJ. Louis
Vilmorn, scientific cnl,iva,or. of Paris, pro.
vislUnally gave it the name of HOlcus sacchara-
Fus, which had previously been applied To the
common broUm-cOrn, il not to other species, or
at least varieties, of some allied plant He
also conjecured tina, it might be the Sorshani
rWgdre. (Androposon sorghum Of olheIs) and
thought that II might comprehend variety Of
ii, as well as AndropogOn cafra, Jicolor, etc.
of kumh. Mr. Wray, who has devoted much
time and attention To the cultivation OF this
plant, with the view Of extracting sugar from
its juice, at Cape Natal and other places, states
that, in the southeast part of Caffraria, there
are at least fifteen varieties Of it, some of them
growing Ia height OF IL or Is feet, with
stems as thick as those of the sugar cane
(Sncchafum c9iciaGrum) NJ. Vilmorin, also,
says that, in collection Of seeds sent 10 the
DIV M u Abadie, there were thirty kinds Of
sorghum, among the growth of which he par
i'cnllrly recognized several plants having stems
OF saccharine flavor. Others are Of the opin-
ion, that the common hroom-corn (HJicus sac
'caardIus, the chocolate or Guinea corn, (Sorg.
hum vuigdre,) and the Chinese sugar cane
(SDrghum sacchGrdtun.,) all of which, contain.
Ing more or less saccharine matter, belong I,
the same species, hut arc variations caused by
difference uf soil and climate, or hy dsnnsi.
zion IN spoIi, after the manner of Indian corr
and other plants under cultivation. The Chi
"ese sugar cane, however, differs from the 9TH
ers. IN containing Tar larger proportion q
julee' aud consequently is more valuable fol
fodder and mher economical uses.
In 1896, plant analogous to the one il
question, was experimental upon at Florence
IN lialy, by Pielro Arduinn, for the extraction
at sugar ; yet II mast have been Of different
variety. as he describes It's seeds as of clea,
brown color, while those Of the Chinese supar
cane are of shining jel-hack, and in appear
ahce identical with lhose If the Sorghum yul.
gare, of the old collections.
Description AND HABIT OF GROWTH.
lhe Chinese sugar cane, when cultivated on
ordinary land in the United States, somewhat
amer the manner Of bronn-cnrn, grows 10 a
ne'sht OF irnm In l6 feet, while in Europe il
u'cs mol at'aln mnch more than half of this al.
N'1ue' us stems are straight and smooth. of
.e" covered with white bloom, or down. hay
ing leaves somewhat aexuous, falling over and
greatly resembling in appearance those of In.
o'an corn but more elegant in form. When
cultivated in hills, containing eight or ten stalks
EACH 1t puts forth at its top conical paniclo
~ dense flowers, green at frst but chano;no
mo violet shades, and finally into dark purnle
a. Maturity. In France and The central and
a"''"sTa sections Of tie United States, /, IN,
has lar pFovaa al anaaa.; bat from obserya
'ols nlde by NJ Vilmorin, as we'll as som,