Daily Los Angeles herald., 1882-03-19
sss.r o.se .aa Hew .a Grow IL.

We heartily hope that Mr.. Sher.
woods suggestions as to introduc-
Ing the sugar cane into Los Ange-
les county will be acted upon by
snme OF our farmers. In q paper
written by that gentleman some
time ago there are quite number
OF practical suggestions, some OF
which we abrIdge for the benefit Of
inquirsrs. We have in the
United States both Chinese and
African canes. Sorghum is the
Chinese; Imphee is the African.
Both are varieties of Holcus
,Sdccharatus. Many varieties were
introduced about 1856, and extern
sive cultivation begun, which was
prevented by the war from extend
ing. Much experience of them
was gained which Is now useful, as
the cultivation is being taken up
In nearly every State. Chinese
cane was at first thought superior
to ell others. It is only suited to
the warmer States and localities,
for It requires longer season than
Imphse. OF late 1t has generally
lost favor, having diminished in
its percentage Of sugar; still, In
deep soils and warm localities iD
California. it is said to shave pro-
duced much larger cane than the
Amber. 1t is the tallest species
grown. From Fresno county
canes were reported six inches
through at the butt.
There are many varieties Of
Imphee. The Neeazaha, which is
now being distributed by the Cali
forn.s State Board of Agriculture.
was thought by Mr.. Wray (the
frat :ntroducer of it) to be the
very sweetest OF the Imphees.
1t is grown by the Zulu
KaHirs, an African tribe
to the south of Port Natal, who
had grown it from time immeme-
rial. In Ohio, where most OF the
varieties have been cultivated for
over twenty. five years, 1t has
usually been found the best for
producing syrup, but less advan'
tageous for sugar. 1t is said to be
smaller plant than most of the
Imphees. Throughout the South
ern States, It has greatly deterio-
rated since it was introduced, hav.
ing lost sweetness. It has its own
peculiarities. It requires 10 be cut
green, just before maturity, and to
be used Immediately. This makes
It . less des irable variety for culti-
walton to supply sugar factory,
where all cannot be worked imme-
diately.
The other seed distributed
Early Amber-is suited apparent
" for every climate. It's special
excellence lies in its rapid ma
turing. 1t needs only four and
half to five months from sowing to
be ready for cutting, except it be
retarded by over irrigation. 1t will
ripen wherever flint cern will
ripen. This makes it adapted to
grow ing over very large area of
the Pacific Coast, and at high alti-
tude as well as high latitude. lts
greatest success appears to shave
been In Minnesota and Illinois. 1t
is very rich in saecharine. The
syrup 10 of fine clear amber celor,
Of fine flavor, and, when properly
treated, 1t produces good sugar. 1t
is one Of the tallest of the varieties,
say ten to twelve feet, ordinarily.
There are other desirable vari-
eties not known in California. The
Liberian is one of the very best,
and it is well suited to the climate
Of California. 1t has been the most
continuously successful Of the I'M
phees. 1t has been found resistant
Of every disease, and has never in
the United States been affected by
rust, blight or mildew. 1t prom.
ises to be the most reliable variety
for wherever the Summer is long
Another very fine variety intro
duced on the Mississippi last sea-
son is the Early Orange. This is
also specially suited to southern
climates. OF these two kinds no
doubt any scotsman on the Mis-.
sissippi can procure little seed.
The culture is of Importance
where profit Is sought. A few re-
marks on 1t will be a ground werk
on which every farmer can adopt
bis own plans. Every plant which ,
has to produce sugar Ia rendered
worthless Cor its use il the soil on
which 1t is grown contains much
potash, or soluble alkaline salts of
any kind, or common salt. Cane
will also be deterioriated by too
much. and especially by too late
irrigation; by causing to form
other constituents than sugar.
Recent manuriDg also Injuries it;
but manuring the land in the pre-.
vious season benefits it much; and
clay land needs it. New land
yields good sugar. Rich black
B0il is the worst for 1t. CLAY land