The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-04-01

4 May your rich soil,
4 Exubcrant, nsturcs's better blessings pour
4 Der every lsnd.' II axhiasE agt5eGa
THE CHINESE SUGAR cANE-.soRGHUM)
s MORE EVIDENCE. , m N
j The following is an extract from letter
written by George w. Kendall to the New
Orleans Picayune, and published in that
paper of March 9TH. Mr.. Kendall resides
upon his farm in Western Rxas, to the cul-
tiyation Of which he deyotes himself with
as much zeal and fondness as he ever did to
the columns Of the Picayune when he was
daily inmate of its sanctum. 1t will be
seen that he has made very spirited and
successful trial of the new Cane upon his
land, Of which he gives graphic and most
interesting account in his letter. We place
entire confidence in the statement Of so in
/ telligent and honorable gentleman, and
take great pleasure in calling public atten-
tion to the highly gratifying testimony which
he bears to the productiyeness and useful
ness Of the plant which is attracting so
much, and such general, notice in the agri-
cultural world. The experiments that will
be made during the coming season in this
I part of Virginia To test its virtues will, we
entertain no manner Of doubt, result in the
\ full confirmation of the favorable accounts
which have been given to it from all quarters
where it has been cultivated: Pet. Intel
"For the last six months have hardly
4 opened paper, whether devoted TO agricul-
ture, politics, religion, sporting affairs, or
what not, without seeing some notice Of the
4 S0rgho Sucre, or Chinese Sugar Cane; why
have not perfect right to add my expo
rience to the general stock OF information
] in relation to the cultivation of this new
grain, or plant. or whatever it NAV be term
edf To begin, then:
In October, 1855, purchased in Paris a
small paper OF the seed. | do not think
there was more than two heaping table,
spoonsful Of il, or three at the outside.
brought il with me TO New Orleans, and on
arriving sent il here to be planted. When
Y | reached this place, early in May last, il
was just peering above the ground, two rows
Of il in ten acre field, which have been
devoted in the main to millet, oats, and a
little Indian corn, and four short rows in
our garden the latter planted last.
"About the sth Of July the two rows in the
larger field had shot up, headed out, and
1 ripened, Notwithstanding the drought, and
the heavy heads were cut foF seed. The
oats meanwhile had not come up, the millet
was hardly above ground, while the Indian
corn was parched and drying up for want Of
rain. Two or three mornings afterwards,
on looking at the field from hill close by,
| noticed that the two rows Of Sorgho Sucre
had entirely disappeared, while rows Of In
dian corn on either side were still standing.
iDn close examination, ascertained that a
a lot Of hogs s-hogs are apt to do such
things--had broken into the field, and de-
branch, il was cut clean to the ground By the
porkers, and not a sign or yestige was left,
while, as already stated. the stalks Of the
common Indian corn on either side were
left standing. Twas thankful had saved
serd, and thought little more Of il.
" Some few days after this--perhaps fort
night-the rows planted in the garden wer,
examined, the heads OF seed found 90 be ripe
and the greater portion cut and brought 4
the house, leaving the tall stalks still stand
ing. On cutting down one Of the latter
which must have been ten feet high, fount
il to be exceedingly heavy, and on tasting
the cane il seemed 10 be as full Of sacCharin,
Juice as the ordinary sugar cane Of Louisi
ana. At the same time had two or tire,
imported French sheep in my yard. in grea
want Of green fodder, and on cutting th'
: cane into small pieces found that they dc
soured il with the greatest ayidity. Afte
this fed them daily on il for some time,
single stalk furnishing good bait. ais
gave some Of il TO iayorite mare, she eat
: ing il even more greedily than the sheep.
Some three weeks after the ripe heads Q
I seed were cut noticed that new heads ha,
4 shot up from the same stalk aud these nev
{ heads blossomed. filled, and ripcncd in Sep
a tember, and were cut and brought 20 th
! ]. house. All this time YOU must rccoilect W
J, were suffering from the unprecedented
!. drouth, and Indian corn and sweet potatoes
9 water melons. pumpkins, and the like, ha,
died down in the very ground.
: al now became mOrc interested in ti
sorgho Sucre than ever, and although still
fed out daily TO the mcrinocs and mare, LEI
: portion Of the stalks standing. Soon ne,
I heals were seen shooting out, and these 4
y turn blossomcd and ripened as did the iirsi
kept no account of dates, but think thi
,r third crop of seed from the same stalk, II :
I NAV cali II, was gathered about The first :
October; il might have been during th
second week Of that month. planted som
uf this last seed, BY way of experiment;
came up rapidly. looked thrifty. grew unit
twas nearly kncc high, aud was finally ca
down by lrOst IN November. A great nun
bcr of shoots or suckers. which had sprun
up from the stalks first planted. were 8
ftlown at the same lime the Sorgho Suri
; can stand any Mind u drought, but y
: first sharp frost kills Il 10 the ground.
And what amount oi seed DO you thin