Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-09-16

muncation in your journal relative to experiments
male in this District for the purpose Of ascertain
ing the value Of the "Chnese Sugar Cane" Sorghum
sdcchdrdtum)-a indigenous gramineous plant OF
China, recently introduced into the United States
beg leave to record the result Of an experiment
made this year by Mr.. Joshua Ward at Brookgreen
plantation, Waccamaw.. ,-,-..-.
Captain White superintendent the planting Of one
pint OF the seed of the Chinese Sugar CaneI'n
rows, three feet distant-and in holes six inches
agart in the rows. The extent of land cultivated
measured one hundred and forty feet in one direc'
ton and fifty -four feet in the other. The sou Is
sandy, with clay foundation but fertile enous" "
produce thirtyve bushels of Indian corn per acre.
The seed planted in March soon germ'nated' Inc
Young plants required frequent and liberal thinning
ant The cron received the same attention as the
corn. -
Early in August, the canes were cut on success
sive DAYS, above the surface of the beds. ihey
were hauled in wagons to the barn yard and there
deprived of leaves and OF six inches OF top stak De-
low the seeds.
The machinery used for expressing the juice con-
sisted of two horizontal wooden rollers five inches
in diameter, and revoved by mule power. The
Juice, as expressed, flowed down trough into
tub From this tub it was taken to iron pots, Tea
pacity 10 gallons each,) and heat applied. The
Juice first boiled produced burnt syrup molasses,
and q saccharine formation at the bottom of the
pots.
In subsequent boilngs the heat was more gradu-
ally applied, and one table spoonful of lime paste
added to each five gallons of juice. Much OF the
juice remained in the cane after it was expressed SIX
or seven times Fifty unripe canes, nine feet long,
yielded thirteen quarts of juice. Fifty nearly ripe
canes, nine feet long, yielded seventeen and half
quarts of Juice One hundred selected canes, nine
feet long, yielded when the juice had been boiled
six quarts and one pint of syrup. The total yield OF
syrup is fftyfve gallons sample OF which IS pre-
scented for your acceptance.
Without discussing the economical uses OF the
fodder for CATTLE of the seeds for poultry and OF the
expressed stalks for hogs, Twill now conclude IN the
anticipation that enough of syrup WILL at no distant
day. be>nade in this District to supply the demands
of the whole community. Yours truly,
The culture of the Chinese Sugar Cane seems to
be exciting a very general interest throughout the
country. The experiments in the manufacture OF
syrup have been very satisfactory, and the sangune
are disposed to think that the plant is destined to
effect agricultural revolution. 1t has not yet
been determined whether a good quality of sugar
can be manufactured from the juice but there is no
doubt but that it furnishes superior syrup, and
that its leaves and stalks afford the very best food
for cattle. The yield also very great and an acre
may be made to produce very easily from $50 to
500 worth of syrup or provender. No one, we be-
ton with the West India Cane, in furnishing an
article for export, but for home consumption it will
be invaluable.
We have upon our table bottle Of syrup manu-
featured by Mr. Jefferson Douglass of vicinity,
which is equal to the best New Orleans molaSses;
and we have lately tasted some equally good, made
by Mr.. A. C. Hawthorne, of Due West. The pro-
portion of syrup obtained by Mr.. Hawthorne was
about one gallon to every six gallons of the juice
Capt. D. N. Rogers, the enterprising proprietor OF
Cahouns Mills in our District is at present active
ly engaged in the manufacture of syrup. He has
between two and three acres of the cane, which he
thinks will yield him 400 or SOC gallons of the
syrup. He expects in a few days to have in opera
ton two sugar mills and five large boilers, which
will give his place very much the aspect of Lousi
ana sugar plantation. He has succeeded in obtain
ing very superior article of syrup in the proper
ton of one gallon to five of the juice and feels much
gratiied at his success. As food for stock, he
thinks the cane will be invaluable.
A5beuiHe Press
Reports and statements Of experiments with the
Chinese Sugar Cane abound in our exchanges and
We can only undertake to notice or reprint such as
furnish something new in details of information.
Judge Levi L. D'Lyon reports his attempt and its
results to the Savannah Georgian, as follows:
In April last planted piece of ground forty five
by eighteen feet, and gave it but two hoeings The
cane matured about the 18th of August, when it
should have been ground, as have since discover
ed that by delaying it have lost at least twenty
per cent by the drying of the cane. This small
piece of old land was the first planted, and pro-
duced nearly one hundred weight Of the best fodder
l have ever made What planted in May is still
standing in the field -.
On Saturday last ground the cane from the land
above mentioned, which produced about sixty gal
Ions of juice turning me out ten gallons of as fine
syrup as would wish to use, q bottle of which &C
companies this note, and which will better enable
you to judge Of its quality. My opinion is that five
gallons of juice will produce one gallon of good
syrup of ordinary thickness, and could have made
that quantity, but was induced, at the suggestion
of friend to boil it very high, SO as to prevent
acidulation. and hence you will find the syrup very
thick The product of seed is three bushels, which
establishes, to my satisfaction that twenty five or
thirty bushels can be made to an acre.
The result of my experiment sati fies me that a
single of this cane will produce three hundred
gallons Of syrup, twenty-five bushels Of seed, of the
average weight of thirty five pounds and twelve
hundred weight of fodder. Es
If my calculation be correct, there is no culture
in Georgia which will prove so productive and re-
munerative. '
300 gallons syrup, at go cents, $3.50 OC
25 bushels seed, at $3.50, 81 DO
1900 weight fodder, at $1.25, l5 OC
Making an aggregate to the acre Of 1922 5(
But the culture of this cane affords other impor
tant advantages. Two crops can be made in one
season, viz:-one of forage and one for syrup, or il
may be cut twice for forage, and will yield at Least
two tons to the acre. 1t is very easily cultivated
and stands drought better than any plant know OF
am convinced that the syrup, by proper manage
ment can be made to granulate, and my mex
grinding vii, afford the opportunity Of testing it
when, if should succeed, will send you sample
The New Orleans Picnyune notes the arrival o