The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-05-28
Chinese snrnr Cane.

The following circular from Hon Charles Ma
son. Commissioner Of patents, (Which We have
been kindly furnished by our Representative
Hon. john A. Bingham,) will be found to be
very interesting to those who intend to engage
in eultivating the Chinese Sugar Cane;
Description AND HABIT OF GROWTH.
The Chinese sugar-cane, when cultivated on
ordinary land, in the United States, somewhat
after the manner Of broom-corn, generally grows
to height Of from to 16 feet. Its stems are
straight and smooth, often covered with white
bloom or wax, having leaves somewhat flexu-
Gus, falling over and greatly resembling in ap-
pearance, those of Indian corn, but more elegant
in form. When planted in hills containing
eight or ten stalks each, it puts forth at the top
conical panicle of dense flowers, green at first
but changing into violet shades, and finally into
dark purple at maturity. In Algeria, it IS a
perennial, having produced crops three years in
succession from the same roots; but in France
and in the central and the northern sections Of
the United States it has thus far proved an an
ual. Itstands drought far better than Indian
corn, and will resist the effects of frost without
injury after the panicles appear, but not in its
tender state If suffered to remain in the field
after the seeds have ripened, and have been re-
moved, and where the season is sufficiently long,
new panicles will shoot out at the topmost
joints one or more to each stalk, and mature
second crop of seeds. The average yield of
seeds to each panicle is at least gill, or about
two thousand TO one.
CULTIVATION.
Since its introduction into this country, this
plant has proved itself well adapted to our geo.
graphical range Of Indian corn. I is of easy cul
tivation, being similar to that of maize or broom
corn, but will prosper in much poorer soil. 1t
does not succeed so well however, when sown
broadcast, with the view of producing fodder, as
it will not grow to much more than 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 season
from the same roots; the first collected in June
or July, to be cut before the panicles appear,
which would be green and succuent, like young
Indian corn, and the other month later at the
time or before the seeds are fully matured In
the extreme Northern States, where the season
is too short and cool for it to II pen in the open
air, the cutivator will necessarily have to obtain
his seed from regions further south. fit were
important for him to raise his own seeds, he
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 is
ound to be sufficient for an acre. II the soil be
Indifferent or poor, they may be sown in drills
or rows three feet apart, with the plants from
ten to twelve inches asunder; but if the soil be
rich, they may be planted in hills, five or more
seeds to each, or 5 feet apart in one direction,
and or 4 feet in the other. The plants may
be worked or hoed twice during the course of
the season, similar to Indian corn. Any suck
cys, or superiluous shoots, which may spring up,
may be removed. The seeds should not be har
vested before they acquire dark or blacksh
hue. Should the plants ledge or fall to the
ground by the excessive weight Of the heads du
ring storms of wind and rain before the seeds ma
ture, they may remain for weeks without injury.
In collecting the seeds, a convenient method is,
to cut off the stalk about foot below the panl
clcs, tic the latter up in punches of twenty five
or mOrorto each bunch and suspend them III any
secure, airy place sheltered from the rain. lin.
tended solely for fodder the first crop should be
cut usC before the paniclcS would appear, and the
second as soon AS the seeds arrive at the milky
stage. 1t may be tied upin bundles, shocked
and cured, like the top or stalks of indian corn.
If not intended to be employed for any other G.
conimical use after the seeds have been removed,
and il the weather be cool, the highest tempera-
ture Of the day not exceeding 45 or so deg f., the
stalks may be cut up close to the ground, tied up
in bundles, collected into shocks, or slowed
away in a mass in a Succulent state ior fodder
in sheds or barns where they will keep without
injury until the weather becomes warm in the
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 in
small pieces before feeding.
Precautinn- Particular care should be observ-
cd not to cultivate this plant in the vicinity of
Dourah corn, Guinea corn, nor broom corn, as
it hybridSes or mixes freely with those plants,
which would render it unfit for sowing.