The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-01-02
aaritultarul.
Important to Farmers.

TnE CHINESE SUGAR CANE. Among the
seeds and plants recently introduced into
the United States by the Agricultural De-
partment connected with the patent Office,
there are none which bid fair to be Of 50
much importance rs the Chinese Sugar
Cane. This plant dhes not come direct to
US from China, but has been introduced by
way of South Africa and France. Fxperi-
ments have already been made with il in va
rious parts Of the Union with most satisiac-
tory results, for il has bOen found to thrive
even in the Northern States, wherever In.
dian corn can he cultivated. II abounds in
saccharine matter, which is easily converted
into sugar, molasses and syrup; in addition
to which the stems and leaves Of the plant
furnish an excellent and solid food for hors-
es, cattle and swine.
The plant, when growing, closely resem-
blcs sweet corn, until the spindles, which
are like those Of broom corn, appear. We
have seen statement Of the result Of an
experiment in Georgia, which shows that it
does well in that latitude. The gentleman
who made the trial estimates the cost Of the
syrup when boiled down, at 10 or Is cents
n gallon. lie believes, too, that the culti-
vation Of the plant will enable every farmer
to make at home al the syrup required for
family use. In the District Of Columbia
the FIRST experiment during the past summer
was completely successful; an acre Of il
yielding upwards Of hundred bushels Of
seed, besides many tons Of stems and leaves
which werc used Us food for horses and cat
tie. In Illinois equal success has attended
its cultivation, whether rs material for
sugar, or as fodder for cattle; and it alsc
appears that there is from Eve to eight pei
cent. of uncrystalizable sap, from which IN
alcoholic liquor can be more cheaply distilled
than by any other method.
Mr.. Browne, the Efficient superintendent
o. the agricultural department in Washing
tor, wh) has done more than any other man
towards introducing valuable seeds inro the
United States, thus speaks Of the Chimes
sugar cane in his ate report
Since it, introduction into this country
IL has proved itselfwe adapted to our geo
graphical range Of Indian corn. Ii is oI
easy cultivation, being similar to that o'
maize or broom corn; and IL the seeds arc
planted in May, in the Middle States, oil
still earlier at the South, two crops Of fodder
can DO grown in a season from tho sam'
roots, irrespective Of drought-the first one
in June or July, to be out before the pani
cles appear, which would be green and sue
culent, like young Indian corn, and th,
other month or two later, when or befor,
the seed Is fully !maturei. The amount
Of fodder which it will produce to the acre
with ordinary cultivation. may be safely e.
timated at seven tons when green, or q,
least two tons per 'acre when thoroughly
cured. The stalks. when nearly mature
are filed with saecharine juice, which
may DO converted into sugar, syrup, alcohol
or beer, or may be used for dyeing wool oil
silk permanent red or pink. and the entir'
plant is devourcd with avidity, either in q
green or dry state, by horses, cattle, sheer
and swine.
Considered in utilitarian point Of view
this plant.perhaps has stronger claims on
the American agriculturist than any Other
product that has been brought 10 tins eoun'
try since the introduction ofcotton or wheat