Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-12-25
Sorghum.

Sorghum.
The Northwestern Sorghum Con-
vention which assembled at Rockford,
on the Sd inst. developed more
facts connected with the growing of
Sorghum and Imphee. and its manu-
facture into sirups and sugars, than
have ever before been brought prom
inently before the public ; and as some
of these facts are of great Importance
we purpose giving brief resume of
the discussions held during the three
days which the Convention was in
session.
The Convention was composed of
producers and manufacturers from
Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois !;
men of intelligence and practical cx-
perience in the business.
The different qualities Of cane were
classified into three varieties, viz:
Chinese Sugar Cane, having black
seeds, growing in prongs from two to
seven inches long; the second or
tufted variety, to be known as African
and the third variety, lately intro
duced, known as the Otaheitan, long
heads, from I to IL inches in length,
and from one to two in thickness.
The Otaheitan was regarded with Pc
culiar favor by those acquainted
with it, as it readily granulate and
makes handsome sugar. Messrs. Cory
and Sons of Indiana, had on exhibit
bition seventy pounds of sugar made
from this variety, and they regarded
the seed "worth its weight in silver"
The Convention considered that any
one of these canes when raised from
pure seed and with proper culture and
cure, produces good results, in the &C.
lection Of seed, therefore, special re.
gard should be had to the question of
its purity or freedom from amalgama-
ton with other plants which tend to
it's deterioration and it recommend
ed the importation of seed from time
to time from localities where the eli
mate is more congenial to the pcrfcc-
ton of the cane, pcradventure the
deterioration in its quality sometimes
noticeable may thereby be obviatcd.
1t was demonstrated that in order
to complete success in the culture Of
cane, it is necessary that the ground
be rich plow in the fall, deep har-
row in the spring until perfectly pull
Lay off with large shovel
plow east and west, and mark north
and south, lightly. Plant out of the
furrow, on the north side just in the
edge. If weeds appear, follow the
furrow with the pillow, not disturbing
the cane. Have FIVE or six plants in
the hill. plant on the north side of the
ridge, because the sun will strike that
side the best, and warm the soil, while
the furrow will carry off the water.
The manure should be we'll rotted and
thoroughly mixed with the soil. Deep
tillage and thorough cultivation are
necessary. The longer it remains in
the field after maturing the better, the
sun and wind being the cheapest
evaporators. The difference between
in September and Oc-
tober will make one-quartcr difference
in the expense of manufacturing. The
cane should be cut above the second
joint, and the top cut down to the Sec
ond joint and in order that the cane
be clean never set the butts on the
ground, ON account of dirt sticking
to the ends of il.
Caue has been raised generally only |
for the saccharine matter it contains |
but at this convention it was shown
that the seed from the Chinese sugar
has hitherto been regard
ed as useless except for planting Dur
poscs-can be employed in feeding
cattle. hogs, horses, and that the
leaves and stalks make the best pa
per in the world. 1t was also stated
that the leaves were better for horses
than the best hay. Horses will leave
oats for it and do better on it. The
begasse rapidly decomposes and makes
excellent manure 1t can also be pre-
pared as fuel for boiling the strip.
Mr.. Cory stated that he was in the
habit OF feeding cane juice to hogs
while manufacturing, and the hogs
gam from one to two pounds per day. |
One acre OF cane is worth three of corn
to fatten hogs. Pork is as solid as
coru fed.
q. Anderson Of Rockford. exhibit.
ed . sample of -four made from sor-
ghum seed. He said he had used Il
as he would buckwheat, and thought
it made equally as good griddle cakes
He raised 20 bushels of the seed to
the acre. He had it thrashed and
ground as he would wheat.
). NJ. Moss, Of Waverly, had on
exhibition seven specimens of strip,
and two OF sugar. He made 1853
gallons of strip. with Moss & Will
mans evaporation. at q cost of ten