The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-09-20
CHINESE SUGAR CANE.

In regard to feeding mich and cattle with
the Chinese Sugar Cane, Walter T. Leak, Esq, of
Richmond county, extensive farmer, in letter
to Judge Saunders, says:
"Yours of the 22d, making inquiry as to the best
method and best time of feeding Sugar Cane to
Mich Cows, has been received, and in answer [
can attempt nothing more than to give you the
suit of my experience ir regard thereto. Taking
surface view of the matter it would that the
best time for using the cane was when it contained
the greatest amount of nutrition and this would
undoubtedly be true if the stomach could avail
itself of it.
The analysis of the cane, as we'll as all the cereals,
goes to show that there is greater amount of
saccharne matter at the time, and about the time
Of the maturation of the seed than at any other
stage of it's growth; for nature is always true to
herself. and when she requires more she provides
more; but it by no means follows that at that time
it then becomes the proper time for feeding under
all circumstances, and to every variety of stock.
The greatest difficulty and an insurmountable one,
ESQ far as horses and cattle concerned is that
the bark or rind of the stalk Cat this stage) has
become so hard, and the ibres of the pith so
tough, that they cannot easily masticate it, and,
for the want of this, it is badly prepared, both for
deglutition well as for digestion.
Besides this, there is less danger of
CATTLE (who chew again what has been slightly
chewed and swallowcd) particularly hungry ones,
becoming choEe9, which has given rise to the
foolish notion, which you have seen again and
again in the papers, that Sugar Cane
dangerous food in consequence of some poisonous
property possessed and, such, we admonished
against its use; whereas the danger does not arise
from any poison contained, but solely from the half
persisted condition of the animal, thus inclining
him to swallow too rapidly without proper mastica-
ton. Experiencing some difficulty in horses and
ell, a1k
I have never had any either poisoned or choke7, [
have for the last three years used it for green
soiling, particularly for Mich cows. and for this
purpose either plant in drills, (the stalks some
four inches apart,) or scatter it broad cast and
cut it down for food, as it attains height
from two to four feet.
When you have cut it you either use it green
or let it wilt, and then prepare. with a cutting
knife, after which you may give as much as the
animal will eat, without any, the least danger,
either from poisoning or choking."
We are grati6ed to find Mr. Leak testifying as
to the value of the Cane in the following manner
IL am now making moasses, and feeding hogs,
upon a plantation | have in adjoining county,
and the overseer has not given the hogs one grain
of corn for the last three weeks, and ifyou could
see them you would say that they were any thing
else than potsoned.
on molasses for my black family, but since the
introduction of the | am saved this trouble
and expense, for make it, either without feeling
or knowing the cost, and even without incommoding
the farming operations
So highly do think of the Sugar Cane, both as
food as well as for the manufacture of molasses,
that feel fully satisfied that should the country
never receive any other benefit from the Patent
Office and Agricultural Bureau that the introduction
of that alone will amply pay all the outlay.
Understand me not advocating that every
farmer should make his own molasses. By no
means, for the manufacture of it, upon small
scale, would become to many farmers too expensive
but do say that every farmer should raise 1t for
his stock, and particularly for his hogs"
pag- The Cotton Crop in this part of the State is
said to be very promising. Should the Fall prove
favorable those who have crops out this year, will
doubtless realize very profitable returns Col. y.
A. Bradshaw thinks his crop will yield an average
of from 500 to 1000 lbs Gin the seed) to the acre
Salisbury Hatchman.