The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-05-12
Early Amber Sugar Cane


MR.. EDIToR:-
AZ The planting season is now at hand
L wish once more to call the attention
of your readers to the importance of
this new crop and urge as many as have
not yet grown it, to plant at least
small quantity, whether for fodder or
the manufacture of syrup. The past
year has been one of rapid increase in
the development of this growing in
dustry. Large mills have been put ND
in New York. New Jersey, and Penn.
sylvania, and where nearly a dozen
factories were running last year in New
York alone, more than twice that num-
Der will probably be in successful
operation this year. They have also a
estate Association of Cane grove, s"
which is pushing the matter in an ell
thuastlc manner. There is no reason
why Vermont should be so far behind
In this matter, for surely these states
possess no greater advantage than does
our own. This industry Is not one of
theory or experiment., for 1t has long
since passed that stage, and there is
today less question as to profit, and no
more risk to run than in the corn or
any other crop. Every farmer can now
be the recipient of the benefit of all the
labor and trial of years of patient re-
search and investigation. He can raise
sugar cane as certainly and with less
cost than any other farm growth and
which will yield him q greater profit
" neither he manufacture it into syrup
or not, for as an'article of fodder alone
1t is far richer in nutriInent than corn.
60 TT
avidity, and refusing other fodder stock
will eat every particle when properly
preserved.
For the benefit of those who may
wish to grow it let me give few direc-
tions for culture, embodying all that is
essential to success. First, thoroughly
pulverize the soil-for any crop this is
desirable aud well repays the extra
labor. Do not plant ill the ground is
warm and danger from frost over, but
wet land. a light, or even clayey loan
is best, not subject 10 severe, sweeping
winds. Cane should run with the pre-
vailing winds when convenient, especi-
ally when in only one way. 1T planted
for syrup hoe the field both ways, same
as for corn. If the seed is good, which
is best ascertsined by planting few in
small dish in the house put in six or
seven seed, covering from half TO three
quarters of an inch, but unless in very
ilght soil never more. Not one of two
hundred seed planted over an inch will
ever grow. When the plants are four
or five inches high thin out TO four or
hve stalks, never more than five unless
grown for fodder. II for forage cut
when four or five feet high and another
VIII start up from the root, thus getting
TWO cuttings from the same planting.
When designed for syrup or sugar il
should stand till about the first OF Sen.
TENDER or when the seed is in the milk. |
then cut and strip The leaves, removing
the top with about elk inches of stalk
saving all for. fodder. Abe .sLylons,a
handling and 1t is ready for the mill
II should not be cut ill it is TO be de-
livered at the mill for fear it may sour,
twenty-four hours at longest. One ton
uf stripped cane will yield on an
avtrige four TO sixteen gallons OF |
syrup or LIS TO the acre, while as high |
as $50 have been obtained. When made |
into sugar each gallon Yields eight or
nine pounds of raw sugar of u high
CRAZE beside quantity Of syrup remain-
ing alter The sugar is extracted. Then
II The season is favorable the seed may
Ue allowed to ripen without material
inJury,for syrup, and about thirty-eight
bushels Of seed secured per acre worth
at least one-eighth more than oats for
feed, while ground rs rye or buck W heat
II makes a valuable table flour hardly
disling uishable from the latter, while
more nutritious and favorable on many
accounts, the only objection being In
the slightly darker color. Samples OF
all may soon be seen at the Register
Office by those Interested.
The writer has been busily engaged
during the past year in perfecting all
the details of The the business, and TO this
end has had extensive correspondence
with manufacturers in nearly every
section OF the country, and every fact
bearing upon the subject has been care
fully collected and verified ill he feels
somewhat justified in speaking in an
authoritative manner IN regard TO what
has been and can be done. lie has yet
10 learn OF an instance where failure |
has resulted from well directed effort. |
lie has had no difficulty In procuring
sugar In any quantity, though TO manu-
iacture largely requires the addition OF |
expensive machinery. In company |
with others he IS engaged in putting up
steam mill for the manufacture of
syrups, which is expected 10 have
capacity of at least 100 gallons per day.
ms Is the first steam mill In Vermont,
and perhaps in New England, and will
embrace every modern impI ovenient
and appliance for successful and rapid
manufacture. 1t is hoped we may he
able 10 add such machinery as will
enable us TO make nearly 1000 pounds
OF sugar per day, another season. Read.
ers OF the Register will be kept posted
as 10 our success, and We shall ut all
lines be glad TO welcome any one in.
terested In the matter, aud freely give
such Information as may be desired.
Meanwhile endeavor as far AS possible
TO encourage tho extension of this In.