, 1862-03-27


Who cheerd with delight the old flag as they fell,
As they saw it On DonelEon flying.
CHORUS:
Then sing to cur hagi on the land, On the sea,
No traitorons hand sha1l dtsEeyer
4 star from its folds. from the flag Of the free,
I.sl,al wave DER Columbia forcveri
E. II. PHILIPS.
sORGHUm.
Answers t. Inquir1es--Sugar Refining
in Central and Nortllera Illinois.
Editors chicago Tribune: |
RACINE, W1s., March 20, 1862.
Ton will greatly oblige many Wisconsin subscri-
brrs by giving condensed statement Of the expe-
Iicnee and success OF Illinois tultisators with |
Sorghum or Chinese Sugar Cane. Also, what sue
cess has been attained in its manufacture into
syrup and eugar and the best machinery in use for
doing 50. There is a disposition n Wisconsin to
largely extend the culture Of the Chinese Sugar
Came or the African 1mphee if thought better; but
there is general Ignorance Of their culture, man
ageme1t and manufacture, with lack of machine
embarking in it.
Now, what is wanted, san article, OF series Of
articles, setting forth briefly:
1st. Which succeeds best in this latitude, sor-
ghum or 1mphecs
I'd. Where to obtain pure seeds
u
4th. Management of cane when ready for mil1s
worksg
9th Process Of manufacture Of syrup and sugars
The experience Of the past two years ought to
allow Intelligent Information on all Of the above
points. Yours, &C., a SuBscR1DEn.
REPLY.-We reply to asnbscriber:
LIST. There is diversity Of opinion IN regard
TO the relative value and success Of the CHI
Hcsc and the African Imphec sugar canes. We
believe the impression to be very general,
however, among those who have experimental
with both, that the Chinese Cane is preferl-
bic for general culture, as it will Fipen earlier,
especially in our more northern latitude. The
Imphee requires warmer and richer soil.
Still we have reports Of excellent success with
the African 1mphce, especially its granulating
qualities. But with the light now before Us,
VIC should give the decided preference to the
Chinese Sorghum. The success of this is
thoroughly established, and no one engages
in its culture on doubtful grounds. There
is no harm in trying both. In doing so, how
eyer, care should be taken to plant in scpar-
ate and distant fields, as they hybr1dizc very
readily, and this destroys the value Of both-
They also both hybridizc with broom corn.
with the same bad effects.
I'd. Pure seed is readily obtained, we pre-
sumo, from Agricultural seed stores, but per
haps more certainly from cultirator5 Of Sor-
ghum scattered through the country. We
might mention the names of A. II. Miller, Ii
Porte. Ind; G. Corey & Son, Lima, La Grange
county, Ind; B. Luce, Plainteld, VIII county,
ILL.,; Emory Brothers, Agricultural Ware
house, Chicago; David Campbell, Howard,
Ninnebsgo Co., Ill; Mr.. Sloan, Agricultural
Editor Of the Rockford Register, Ill; Charles
Foster, Rockford, ILL.,; D. S. Pardcc, New Nil
ford, Winncbago, ILL.,; DR.. Ira Knapp, Chan
nahon, Ill; Lyman Meacham, of DuPase, ILL.,;
Hooker & Jones, Chicago Seed Store; Oliver
Reed, Joliet, Ill; Oliver Webster, Troy, III;
etc. All Of these gentlemen have been en-
gagged in the cultivation Of the cane, or arc
dealers in seeds, and nc presume can supply
any demands for the article.
Sd. As to the mode Of culture, it is difficult
to give definite directions, as much depends
upon climate and soil. You my lay it down
as rule that where you can raise good crop
OF corn, you can raise good crop Of canc.
Low mucky soils, VIC believe, are universally
condemned. High 1oamy or sandy prairie,
oak openings, dark loan with gravelly sub
soil, are all considered excellent and certain.
The ground being selected, its preparation
should attract careful attention. In the first
| place decided advantage is obtained by plow-
ing It in the fall, but where that is impractica-
bic, as early in the spring as the condition Of
the soil will permit, The plow should be set
| at least ten inches decp-then drag and roll it.
One Of the great troubles in the termination
! Of the seed is owing to the Indifferent manner
in which the ground is prepared. The seed
should he soaked in warm water, or water
with chloride Of lime in it, for three or four
| days, until about ready to sprout, Tic soak.
ing Of the seed greatly facilitates its germina
tion. This may not be necessary where thu
soil is warm and moist, We have known canl
to be out Of the ground In five days aftcl
planting, By soaking the seed as above. Jusi
before putting the seed in, the ground should
be well dragged, until 1t acquires perfectly
smooth surface. It should then be market
ont in rows four feet apart running north aut
south, and eighteen to twenty inches cast ami
west Not more than three seeds should b.
put III hill, and they covered no
more than three quarters Of IN inch deep
alter Inc cane Is up, lct 1t be cultivated IN tn
same manner as corn. 1t will also pay well t.
plant shla1 BED IN your garden IRON whlcl
5on can transplant IN sucn places as Whcr
the seed in the field has filled to germinate
After the cane las ripencd, 1t should be strip
ped Of its leaSes, tue tops taken OF at 1eas
18 inches dowH, md if the weather be plea
sant, and no prospect Of frost, be allowed t.
stand in that condition for three or four days
Then it should be cut and set up, and auowe
to dry feW days. preparatory TO being housed
Every care should be taken to prevent it
being frozen. When It Is housed, place it
snch condition as TO allo" good clrculs
ton OF air TO all parts OF the cane The prt
cess OF manufacturing 1t into syrup should i
lnaugnrated as soon after II IS housed as POI
slble. the aooVe instructions are atr1ctl
1oho"eo' We tn'nS .nat Inc result VIII AWAY
be Satisfactory " COURSE processes EaTyln
somewhat Iron, tne ABOVE, nave oeen tr1e
WIN SUCCESS. hncn altef all depends upo
the suogne't ana olFefst'on OF the plante
we m'sns MAKE .ne aooVe details more n
nute' ont na'e nol tne room az present. 1t
mooes oi pfePai1ns auo p1antlng Tue groun
are sufficiently detailed. and these are tt
, matters 10 oe MS. UNDERSTOOD
4tn- we nave e'sen IN me preceding par
glaph' tne Emu u seeo 10 pe usea, the mot