Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1867-03-20
The Cultivation Of Sorghum.

There can scarcely be a doubt
but the facts brought before the
public at the late Convention Of
Michigan Cane Growers, aud the
specimens of sugar ana strip exhib-
tied, viii give a stimulus to the eul-
tivation Of sorghum and ITS varieties
throughout the Northwest. 1t has
now been satisfactorily proved that
sugar can be produced from sorgh-
UNI. 1t was stated IN the cOnyen-
ton that the sweets consumed BY
family, cost nearly as much as the
bread, and although this was prob
ably an exaggeration, 1t was not
much beyond the fact, for sugar
and strip have been exceedingly
dear since the breaking out Of the
rebellion.
The success OF few persons
In obtaining sugar from sorghum
should not tempt farmers whose
land is not well suited to this crop,
to commence the growing OF il.
They should recollect that it re
auires a peculiar quality Of land,
careful culture, and judicious man
agement IN every stage, from the
time of sowing, until the strip or
sugar is manufactured. 1t viii be
prudent TO enter cautiously into the
growing Of Sorghum, lest it inter
fere with the ordinary work OF the
farm. In the mean time informa-
ton in relation TO its culture and
management viii be derived annu-
ally from the experience Of others,
and Improvement in the machinery
necessary for manufacturing its pro
duct, will be taking place from time
to tines
There are some disputed ques-
tons which should be settled by
experiment, such for instance as
that about the ripening Of the seed
by the farmer An impression APP
pears 10 be gaining ground that seed
must be procured from q distance
and that none but those who make
a specially Of growing it for sale
can produce a puTe article 1t was
stated that the canes on which seed
ripens are dry and worthless Thi;
might have been expected, and il
shows plainly that If the cane gets
time enough, it viii ripen the seed
Farmers should sow the part Of the
crop intended for seed early and fal
away from plants with which it car
mix or hybridize, and give it the
whole season to ripen. 1t wa
stated IN the convention that sorgk
um will mix with Indian corn: thii
and several other disputed point
should be tested by experiment.
There were some statement
made at the Convention which re
quire a word Of comment Their
arc CuIlaitI points - sOI 5Il,sIlI : IU,,
ing and strip manufacture, which
are now regarded as settled facts
and any attempt at Insettling then
should be discountenanced. 1t wa
stated By one speaker that heay,
bottom land will produce as GOOD
sirup as light. sandy upland-tha
manuring the soil Tor the crop doe
not make any difference IN til
color or flavor OF the strip, aud tina
the application Of hog manure vii
not have an untavorable effect. be
cause the ingredients OF the manur
do not ente- into the composition
Of crops. Al these statements ar
contrary TO public opinion Tina
relating TO the manure not enterin.
int the composition Of plants
contrary to fact; II it were true
there woRld be no use in manurino
and all the discoveries which chem
lists have made relative TO the com
position Of soils, plants, and manure
would 90 for nothing.
There can be no doubt but Qrea
progress has been made in the eul
tivation aud management Of suroh
nm, and that it will be profitable t,
those who are experienced in grow
ing it o. manufacturing the produce
bat money maybe lost BIZ cutcrin.
lntoits cultivation incons;deratclv o
rashly. It should be borne in mins
that very littic sugar has Is We
been manufactured, even bv til,
most experienced operators, ans
that the farmer who has scarcely
means enough to till his ground
properly for the ordinary crops
should be very cautions how h,
brings additional trouble aud ex
pense OH himself without The Ger