Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-10-07
THE kEWLY.rNgRoDucED SUGAR CANE,
* 5 PARISH 81. JonN THE BAPr1sr. GAol

from this quarter may prove Of interest to some of
your readers more particularly to those interested
in the culture OF the newly introduced varieties Of
cane known as Sorghe and Imphee These having
been lately experimental upon ascertain their rel
alive merits, particularly for those prominently set
forth for them, viz: for the quantity Of sugar and
nolasses they were said to contain, will give you
the result of some Of these experiments -.
Last year several of our planters cultivated small
quantity of these varieties, but not having u suf-
cheney Of seed, could not arrive at fair result
will give you first my own experience with the
Sorgho of which planted last year few seed, the
greater part of it in the field in old land and por-
ton in my garden, in very rich land It attained
sweet for the purpose intended, and supposed that
had been imposed upon in the seed. had the seed
gathered, but did not think it worth while to plant
them this year, and still have them on hand. few
scattered seed, however, came up in my garden,
which, curiosity leading to TASTE found it to be
quite sweet, and am led to believe had the genu-
inc seed.
Several planters extensively engaged in the cul-
ture of the sugar have within the past fortnight
given these new varieties of Sorgho and Imphee
practical test-among them, Mr. Soniat, of the Par
ish of Jefferson short distance above the city Of
New Orleans, and well known as practical intelli-
gent and successful planter He has recently rolled
and three-quarters of Sorgho and obtained
four barrels or about one hundred and sixty gallons
of syrup He found tina: it would not granulate, and
no sugar could be obtained from it. Mr.. Soniat
states that, allowing himself fair price for the
quantity of wood he consumed and the labor of his
plantation hands, and valuing the syrup at the rate
some Sorgho syrup has been disposed of in New Or
leans viz forty cents per gallon, that he has sunk
the sum of about fifty dollars.
Another gentleman resident of the Parish of St.
Charles and very widely known for his intelligence
and devotion to agriculture, as we'll as the law,
Judge P. A. Rost, has given the variety known as
1mphee fair test. The Judges sugar works were
undergoing repairs, and the experiment was made
at the adjoining plantation of his neighbors, the
Messrs. McCutcheon. These gentlemen have very
extensive and valuable works. and, the Judge being
absent they gave the matter their personal supern
tendence. with the experience of life time devoted
to all the practical details Of sugar-making. The
suit was and have it in person from those gentle
men, that from one-half acre of Imphee they OBJ
tanned upwards of five hundred gallons of juice,
which being boiled gave thirty gallons of SYRUP
tain sugar. tasted the syrup two days after its
manufacture, and found its favor quite different
from Louisiana syrup, nevertheless pleasant to the
taste, and quite similar to damson plum preserves
1t slightly acid, and fermented few days after,
which would be a most insupcrable objection to it.
The Messrs. McCutcheon informed me that there
was much more labor in cutting and preparing it for
the miN as compared with the sugar.cane, it being
very difficult to divest it of its leaves. From the
small quantity Of syrup it must necessarily consume
q largely increased quantity Of wood. The 1mphee
was planted in rows three feet apart drilled in the
row. The Judge has frequently rolled cane planted
in Of six and feet apart that yielded three
hogsheads of the best quality and, in addition, the
usual quantity of moasses, viz: sixty gallons per
hogshead, that is TO say, three thousand pounds of
sugar and one hundred and eighty gallons molasses
per acre while the lmphee gave at the rate of sixty
gallons Of syrup to the acre and no sugar.
In the New Orleans papers Of about ten days ago
nf five holt harr tad
at forty-fve cents per gallon, and the same day
was reported sale Of cargo Of about two hundred
and fifty hogsheads of Cuba molasses ermentcd) at
sixty.two cents per gallon l should say that new
Louisiana syrup in half barrels, if in the market on
the same day, would have brought seventy five to
eighty cents.
The prospect for the Louisiana cane crop is not
good, the being fully a month backward. 1t
much injured by the frosts of April In the
month of June 1t was hoped and supposed that it
would from the effects of these frosts and
the crop estimated at as high as three hundred
thousand hogsheads But July and August passed
without the improvement anticipated, and the crop
is ut present estimated at about two hundred and
twenty five thousand hogsheads. The season from
this time forth must be very favorable for it to
coed two hundred and fifty thousand hogsheads.
Of the sugar-cane imported by the Government
for the planters received a box of the Demarara
variety, which promises to attain large size. lis
of the Otaheite family, and will, fear, prove very
tender, all of these varieties have proved to be-
The canes were very small being only two and three
feet long wheE received, and will produce canes,
should Think of nine to eleven feet long. l will
take every precauton with it to accmate it, if pos.
sible and compensate, if possible, the Government
for its endeavors. And, for one, here tender my
Acknowledgements to those gentlemen through whose
endeavors interest was much regarded. 1t
appears to that the industrial pursuits should be
its first Of the Laguayra cane can hear of
but one solitary shoot growing there are others, no
doubt 1t was nearly all lost in its transportation.
1t may not be generally known that the planters
frequently import cane at their own expense, and
not year passes without some varieties or
fresh plants being received The cane appears to
be entirely free from disease this year. do not
think there was ever any deterioration, but there
was destruction, and caused by too long continu-
ance of wet and cold weather.
Very respectfully, your obi serv't,
WOODSTOCK.
U. S. GRAND LODGE OF OBJ FELLows-This body,