The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1857-01-31

CHINESE SUGAR CANE We copy the an
nexed description of the Chinese Sugar Cane.
and the manner Of cultivating it, from the
late Report of the Commiss ioncr Of Patents:
The Chnesd Sugar Larc, when cultivated
on ordinary land, in the United States, some
what after the mannar of broom corn, grows
TO height Of from eight to sixteen feet,
while in Europe it does not attain much more
than half Of this altitude. Its stems are
straight and smooth, often covered with a
white bloom or down, having leaves some.
what flcxuous. falling over and greatly re-
sembling in appearance those of Indian corn,
bat more elegant in form. When cultivated
in hills, containing eight or ten stalks each.
it puts forth at its top conical panicle of
dense flowers, green at first, but changing
into violet shades, and finally INTO dark pun.
pie at maturity. III France and the central
and northern sections of the United States.
it has thus far proved an annual; but from
the observations made by NJ. Yilmorin, as
well as some experiments in out Southern
States, it is con ccturcd that, from the vsor
and fuiness of the lower part OF the stalks,
in autumn, by protecting them during the
winter, they would produce new plants the
following spring. 1t stands drought far bet
lects Of considerable frost without injury,
after the panclcs appear, but not in its
younger and more tender state. Ii suffered
to remain in the field after the Seeds have
ripened and have been removed, where the
season is sufficiently warm and long, new
panclcs will shoot out at the topmost Joints,
one or more to each stalk. and mature Sc
cond crop of seed. The average yield Of seed
to each panicle is at least a gill.
Guilty. Since its introduction into
this country, the Chinese Sugar Cane has
proved itself well adapted to our geographical
range OF Indian corn. 1t is easy of cultiva-
ton, being similar to that Of maize or broom
corn, hut will prosper in much poorer soil.
1t does not succeed so well. however, when
sown broadcast with view of producing fod.
der, as it will not grow to much more than
one half of its usual height. If the seeds
are planted in May, in the Middle States, or
still earlier in the South, two crops of fodder
can lie grown in season from the Same roots
the first one III june or July, to be cut be-
fore the paniclcs appear, which would be
green and succulent, like young Indian corn
and the other month or two later, at the
time, or before the seed is fully maturcd. In
the eXtrcme Northern States where the season
is too short and cool for it to ripen in the
open air, the cultivator will necessarily have
to obtain his seed fIom regions further South
If it were important for him to raise his own
seed, he could start the plants under glass
in the spring, and remove them to the field
or garden at about the period for planting
Indian corn, after which they would fully
mature.-One quart Of seeds arc found to be
sufficient for IN acre. If the soil be indilicr-
cnt or poor, they may be sown in rows or
drills about three feet apart with the plants
from ten to twelve inches asunder but if
the soil be rlch they may be planted in hills,
five or more seeds to each, four Or five feet
apart in one direction, and three or four in
the other. The plants may be worked or
hoed twice in a season, III q manner similar
to Indian corn. Amy suckers or superfluous
shoots, which may spring up, may be re-
moved The seed should not be harvested
before it acquires dark or black hue. Should
the plants lodge, or fall TO the ground by the
excessive weight Of the heads, during storms
Of wind and rain, before the seed natures,
they may remain for weeks without injury.
In collecting the seed, convenient method
is to cut otf the stalks about foot below the
panicles, tie them up in punches Of twenty
five, and suspend them in any secure, airy
place, sheltered from the rain. If intended
solely for fodder, the first crop should bv cut
just before the paniclcs would appear, and
the second as soon as the seed arrives at a
milky stage. 1t may be tied up in bundles,
shocked and cared, like the tops or stalks Of
Indian corn. If not intended to be employed
for any other economical use, after the seed
has been removed, and the weather be cool,
and the average temperature of the day does
not exceed forty-Gve or fifty degrees, f., the
stalks may be cut up close to the ground,
tied in bundles, collected into shocks. OF
slowed in mass in succulent state, for
fodder in sheds or barns, where they will
keep without injury, if desired, until spring.
In this condition, however, the lower parts Of
the stalks will be found to be quite hard and
woody, and will require to be chopped into
Stual, pieces 70, le,dins.