Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1857-01-17
gTlST COUNTY HERALD
Tie Cultivation OF fsse Chinese
Sugar Cane.

Vie tsrEEEE3ssBA "a tsEC CszASSS
Sugar Cane.
The following is the method of cultiva-
ting the Chinese Sugar Cane, as described
by Hon. Charles Mason, U. S. Commits
eioner of Patents. The general attention
which is now being given to this plant, and
Che probability that it will become one of
the productions Of this climate, renders
important a careful perusal of the follow
ing:
Since the introduction into this country
the Chinese Sugar Cane has proved itself
well adapted to our geographical range OF
Inaian corn. 1t is of easy cultivation, be-
inc similar to that of maize or broom corn,
but will prosper in u much poorer soil. 1t
does not succeed so we'll, however, when
sown broadcast with the view of producing
fodder, 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 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 before the panic!es APP
pear which would be green and succulent,
like young Indian corn, and the other a
month or two later a. the time or before
The seed is fully malured. In the extreme
Northern States, where the season is too
short and cool for it to ripen in the open
cir, the cultivator will necessarily have to
obtain his seed from regions further South.
IF it were important for him to raise his
own seed, he could start the seeds 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 f und to be sufficient for an acre. If
the soil be Indifferent or poor, they may be
sown in rows or drills about three feet apart,
with the plants from ten to twelve inches
ssuuder; but if the soil be rich they may
be planted in mills, five or more seeds to
each, four or five feet apart in one direc-
ton and three or four III the other.
The plants may be worked or hoed twice
in the course Of the season, in similar
manner to Indian corn. ANY suckle OF
superflous shoots which may spring up may
be removed. The seeds should not be
harvested before it acquires dark Or black
hue. Should the plant lodge or fall to
the ground. by the excessive weight OF the
heads, during storms of rain or wind, be-
fore the seed natures, they may remain
for wee Ks without injury. In collecting
the seet, a convenient method is to cut of
she stalks about foot below the panicles,
tie them up in lunches of twenty-five, and
suspend them in any secure airy place
sheltered from rain. IF intended solely
for fodder, the first crop should be cut just
before the panicles would appear, and the
second as soon as the seed arrives at the
milky stage. 1t may be tied up in bum
dies, shocked and cured, 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 tempera-
ture of the day does not exceed As or so
deg. F., the stalks may be cut up close to
the ground, tied in bundles, collected into
shocks, or slowed in a mass in succuleni
state, for fodder, in sheds or barns, where
they will keep without injury, if desired
until spring. In this condition, however
The lower part of the stalk will be found
to be quite hard and woody, and will re-
quire to be chopped into small pieces fol
feeding
Precautions Particular care should be
observed not to cultivate this plant in the
vicinity of Doufah corn, Guinea corn, mol
broom-eorn, as it hydridizes or mikes freel,
with those plants, which would render the
seeds of the product unfit for sowing.
TEACHING SLAVES TO REAp.-A writer
in the Memphis Eagle and Enquirer of the
14th inst, is out against some clergymer