Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1857-05-01


Ofiec. obtained 200 pounds of seed, which
was distributed, through members of Con
gress, in 1855. The following descrip
ton Of the cane aud its cultivation will be
found interesting:
The Chinese sugar cane, when cultiva
ted on ordinary land, in the United States,
somewhat after the manner of broom-corn,
grows to il height of from s to l6 feet,
while in Europe it does not attain much
more than half Of this altitude. It's stems
are straight AMI smooth, often covered
with a white biu7m, or down, having
leaves somrwhnt 4 .xu1u-, ia ling over and
.rcatI, resembling III appeariucc those OF
lndIan c,rn, hur more elegant IN form.
When cultivated III hills, containing elgh;
or ten stalks each, it puts forth at its top
a eonical panicle of deuse flowers, green at
first, but changing into violet shades, aud
finally into dark purple at maturity. In
France aud the central and northern Sec
tious of he United States, it has thus far
proved an annual but from observations
made by VI. Nilm,rin, as well as some ex-
pcriments in our southern States, 1t is con-
iectured that, from the vigor and fullness
Of the lower part Of the stalks in autumn,
by protecting them daring the winter,
they would produce new plants the fol-
lowing spring. 1t stands drought far bet
ter than Indian Coru, aud will resist the
effects of considerable frost without in ury
after the panlcles appear, but not in its
younger and more tender state. If suf-
fered to remain in the field after the seeds
have ripened and have beer removed,
where the season is sufficiently warm and
long, new pauicles will shoot out at the
topmost joints, one or more to each stalk.
aud mature second crop of seeds. The
average yield of seed to each panicle is at
least gill.
Since its introduction into this country
the Chinese sugar cane has proved itself
well adapted to our Geographical range of
Indian corn. 1t is of easy cultivation,
being similar to that of maize or broom
corn, but viii prosper in much poorer
soil. 1t does not succeed so well, howev-
er, when sown broadcast with the view of
producing fodder, as it will not grow to
much IuUIo than Uno- h.if Of i'.-.---,
height If the seeds are planted In May,
in the Middle States, or still earlier at
the South, two crops of fodder can be
grown in a season from the same roots
the first one in June or July, to be cut be.
fore the panicles appear, which would be
green and succulen', like young Indian
corn-and the other month or two later,
at the time or before the seed is fully ma
tured In the extreme Northern States,
where the season Is too short aud cuol for
it to ripen in the open air, the cultivatOr
will necessarily have to obtain his seed
from regions further south. If it were
important for him to raise his own seed,
be could start the plants under glass in
the spring, and remove them to the field
or garden at about the period of planting
Indian corn, after which they would fully
mature. One quart Of seeds are found to
be sufficient for an acre. If the soil be
Indifferent or poor, they may be sowa In
rows or drills about three feet apart, with
the plants from ten to twelve inches asun-
der; bnt if the soil be rich, they may be
planted in hills, five or more seeds to
each, four or five feet apart in one direc-
ton, and three or four in the other. The
plants may be worked or hoed twice in the
course OF the season, III "a similar manner
to Indian corn. Any suckers or superhu
Gus shoots, which may spring up, may be
removed Tae seed should not be har-
vested before it acquires dark or black
hue Should the plants lodge, or fall to
the ground, by the excessive weight of
the heads, during the storms of wind or
rain, before the seed natures, they may
remain for weeks without injury. In col
eeting the seed, convenient method is
to cut off the stalks about foot below the
panlcles, tie them up in lunches of TWEEN
ty-fye, and suspend them in any secure,
airy place, sheltered from rain. If inten-
ded solely for fodder, the first crop should
be cut just before the panicles would ap-
pear, and the second, as soon as the seed
arrives at the milky stage. 1t may be
tied up in bundles, shocked and cured,
like the tops or stalks of Indian corn. If
not intended to be employed for any oth.
er economical use, after the seed has been
removed, and the weather be cool, and
the average temperature of the dag does
not exceed As or 80 deg. F., the stalks
may be cut up close to the ground, tied in
bundles, collected into shocks, or slowed
in mass in succulent state, for fodder
in sheds or barns, where they will keep