The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-04-28
To the Agricultural e'ublic-Chiucse, Sugar
Cane. -+. .t M

&8Ucs r-ra .t nj l
The production of this new plant, has already become
u matter Of importance to the people Of the United
States. But two or three years have elapsed since its
introduction into this ~country, and it is now cultivated
in every section. This alone declares it's Importance.
1t is no longer a matter of experiment, or speculation,
hut a fixed fact, and it is hardly necessary fur us to ask
the question, What is it? for the following question
Of establishment would inevitably follow, What !! don't
you know what the "Chinese Sugar Cane" is?'
Viewed in any and every light in which any crop
may be viewed, the Chinese Sugar Cane or Sorghum
is perhaps the most profitable crop a man can raise. The
new plant Imply the seed Of which is lately import.
ed BY certain Eastern spectators, may possibly ~outstrip
it, but that is in the future and we may have to wait
years before that fact becomes known. This kind W.,
know, and it behooves every farmer always and every
where to tstrike while the iron is hot aud burning !.
As a forage crop it Is unsurpassed The usual amount
raised from one acre Is FIVE tons. So rich is it in sac.
carhine matter that cattle and hogs greedily devou'
hay, and the seed-of which it produces abundantly i
aid to be equal if not superior to oats for feeding. The
Iced ground, and mixed with the cut stalks, fed to
horses il said to be better than by AMI oats. Two
'hings tn refore make it pre-emiuently a forage crop.
viz the large amount that may be raised per acre an
its containing that very element largely, which may b.
rapidly converted into muscle or fat for the workiu,
animal-sugar.
If this were all, it must command our serious atten
tion; but it has gained its celebrity mainly from its con
v~ertibiEty into sugar and syrup. Experiments hav
fully shovn that large quantities Of sugar may be ex
'racted from the expressed juice. They prove that gu
hun lred gallons Of good syrup have been obtained from
one acre-its quality being equal to the best comm"
sugar cane syrup. These are all fixed facts. exper'
ments made by the most approved sgriculturists, VIII
could have no motive to send out to the world falls
statements
There need be no fears regarding its culture here il.
Minnesota That also has been tested successfully
We have had various accounts from different sections "
the State concerning its culture last year 1t must b
recollected that last year was . very unfavorable one t.
its growth. AMI yet some few who tried it grew ripe seed
I planted six rows on the 10Th of May IN a foul plar,
(unintentinnally) It germinated more rapidly thar,
corn, but the pigeon grass perfectly matted the ground,
aud | succeeded in rescuing two rows only from its in
& .ence and Notwithstanding the colduess of the seas .,
early frnsts, some Of it attained = hight of eigh, feet, anc
tw" weeks more would have ripened the seed. S" salts
factory were the results to me, that l shall plant a smali
plat Of it again this season
Mr. Burbank, Of Nininger City, has just return ID
from illinois with q large quantity If seed. which he l.
Offering on very liberal terms, Zee his advertis. ment,)
ami will be an inducement T.. farmers to plant a small
lot. One pound and . half will plant an acre. an til !,
may be obtsined for a dollar and y half. Dun't wait
10, your neighbur to make the experiment. D. it your
self: It may be obtained at Hastings, Nininger, and ~
my house on Spring Luke. Mr.. Burbank proposes t.
b!a.pg up q sugar mill for the express benefit If thos.
Who grow this cane 10 Dakota county aud adjoining
couniies, so that farmers may grow their own sweet,
and 80 be independent Of speculative mouop ly on that
score. s.ss-u*s as waxassBE akmsss@T
In next weeks Agricultural department will be found
an article IN the mode Of culture. 71s
Yours, L. n CUUNTRyMAN.