Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1867-05-17
FARM HOUSEHOLD.


CULTURE OF SoReHUM.-During the
high prices of sirupi has been a ques-
tion whether It will pay to raise our
own sweatening if il becomes cheaper.
Although in many places last year the
manufacture Of domestic sWeetenIng
was almost a total failure, yet enough
has been done heretofore to show what
can be accomplished. The necessity Of
growing cane for the maufaotuae Ofour
own sweet, to those accustomed to its
use, Is already established. A few
words as to its cultivation. In the
field where the corn is TO be planted,
select a place to plant the cane; rich
well drained, sandy, or porous subsoll
will do. Land on which the water
stands much Of the time viii not answer
Some people say that it IS better 20
sproub the seed before planting, as u
will come IN evenly and get the start
Of the weeds. Seed thathasbeengroWn
this latitude(42 degrees) three or four
years. should be renewed from the
South or Southwest, as 1t here deterlor-
ates in value yearly. Among the varl-
cites Of cane the most prominent are
Regular Sorgo-au old variety hIber-
ian-new and pOpular-does not 5tpW
down; Oomseeana-sometimes called
Otaheitan-best for sugar; a-za-na
or White Imphee, two feet shorter
than either of the above: stands up we'll
Although many plant IN drills, 1t IS
thought by others to be more ecOnOm-
Zeal to plant in hills, so the crop can be
cultivated both ways, the object being
to have the cane as stOcky and large
as possible. The pith contains the
sweetening. The ground should at no
time be worked very deep, and especial
II the last time through with the culti-
Vator, as it would kill the little Ebrous
roots. When the bulk of the SEED be-
comes about ripe, or should there be
heavy frost, the cane should be strip
ped For this purpose hatten broom
handle to thin edge and with it fall
the leaves to the ground, after they be-
come dry they may be Taked In piles
for fodder. One man can strip an acre
of standing e0rn- IN a day. In cutting
up use the common corn knife Grasp
the hill about midway from top to bot
tom, cut 1t off close to the ground, an
while you have 10 in your hand cut Of
about two feet of the top ends and lay
them down butts enc way. to bind.
The Wilted leaves map be twisted int
bands, bubting a short band around tht
middle of the bundle, and anothei
around the butts, evening them on tbs
ground while binding. After being Gu
the canes should be kept ont of the hot
sun. LfstoTed awhile in a dry, airJ
piaac n the shade, before making up
all lie better. There Isl right way anC
wrong way Of doing work, and some.
times many ways for doing a thing, al
of which may be right in this busI
ness it is essential the operator .shoulC
not be slovenly-should use his tao
and skill to the best advantage.
In regard to health Of sorgo sirul
the SorgO Journal says The pereen
tage of cane and fruit sugar, contained
in sorghum siEup is much greater thar
that contained in an equal volume o
tropical molasses or sugar house syrul
for the latter is always deprived Of al
the crystalizable sugar which can bt
obtained by both ordinary aud extra
ordinary means before it's put IN thu
market for sale. Moreover, trOploa
mOlasses and sugar house sirup, while
they do not contain any orystalizablt
sugar that can by any means be with
drawn from them, do contain most o
the soluble filth and impurities which
pertain to the original product of sugar
and sirup. And not only this, bu
they also contain soluble matter re
sdltiag from all the agents used in de
fecating and refining. This of itself
when we rememb Der that such an of
fensive substance as is put in bIooC
and such poisonous agents as sulphatr
of zinc, diacetate of lead and Ultrat
of silver are sometimes used BY suga
refners, would make US look upon tn.
residuum of these operations witt
suspicion.