The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-03-19

wisconsin Sorghum Convention.

Pursuant to a cali Of the Secretary of GU
Agricultural Society, a few gentlemen assem-
bled at at the basement of the Capitol at Mad
ison, to discuss the best modes 0 fthe culture
of Sorghum.
Mr.. o. s. Willy, Of Madison, presided.
The following were the subjects selected fol-
discussion Il. Varieties Of Cane and seed
2. Soil, Cultivation and modes Of treating the
Crop g. Machinery A.. Manufacture Of Syr
up and Sugar; .. Bagasse, or Waste 6. Gen
eraI results Of Experience.
The varieties of seeds on exhibition embrac-
ed many Of the kinds of Imphee and Sorghum.
The difference between the two principal kinds
it was affirmed, was detected in the seed-head
in Imphee the branches in the secd-head are
bushy and keep together, having the appear
ance of a military plume, while in the Scr
ghum the branches i'll the head are long and
hang very much apart. The Otaheitau cane,
so much talked OF, was pronounced to be a
dark kind of the Oom-se-a-na, a variety OF I'm
fphee.
In discussion it was strongly advocated by
many growers in our State, that Imphee was
the best variety to raise, though some had
grown short varieties Of Sorghum with sue
cess. For sugar, Imphee was preferred, while
Sorghum produced the best syrup.
J.. G. Plumb, Of Madison, offered the follow
ing resolution
Re8olCed, That for general and extensive
culture, we require, at least, two varieties OF
cane for early and late manufacture. But that
we must rely mainly upon smaller varieties OF
cane for sugar and syrup in Wisconsin and
North of it.
Soil should be high and sandy, as it grows
better on it than on low and rich lands. Clay
soil was considered unfavorabIe, but some had
been successful on it. One gentleman said il
he had a hill SO barren he could not grow any
thing else he would plant it with cane.
III the manner of planting many different
views were expressed-one used a hoe, another
his foot. and another would bush-harrow ii
in.
Some very ingenious methods were describ-
ed to keep off the chintz bug.
BY tearing off the lower stalks, one farmer
had saved his cane from them. Some had
sowed buckwheat along with the cane, and
found it a good preventive, others had sowed
a belt of Hungarian grass around their field,
about a rod wide, which kept the bugs busy
till after the cane was out Of the way.
There was a very creditable number Of ma
chimes ON exhibition, those we noticed were
Olmstead's, Beach & Days, Gates steam anc
fire, and Clark & Uttcrs railway Evaporators
and the Climax Adjustable Crusher, made by
E. W. Skinner, of Madison. The latter had 8
fine and s~ervicabIe look about it. 1t seemed
to be very strong and durable. Oak saplings
an inch in diameter, run through it, were com:
pletely crushed.
The general inference to be drawn from the
discussion on the growth of Sorghum and I'm.
phee, was that if planted and cultivated, about
the same as corn, under favorable circumstan
ces a good crop would be secured.
The interests of the State demand q more
extensive culture of canes or roots, and W.
hope before long, to rival and compete witt
adjoining states.
All who raise Sorghum Or Imphee would do
well to keep a strict account oft, andthe profit
will be more clearly seen.