The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-01
Something About sorghum.

Indiana Correspe de nee Southern Trade Gazette.
In 1857 the yield of sorghum molasses in the
United States was II, S98,09S gallons; sorghum
sugar, 500, 773 pounds, which, if sold at fifty
cents per gallon tor molasses, and eight cents
per pound for sugar, foots up the nice little sum
of ST. 4S9, S26.04. About onesixteenth the
amount paid to foreign countries for sugar alone.
This year the yield has been largely increased,
especially sugar Several large sugar works
have been erected in various parts of the coun-
try, and those of last years, notably the
Champaign H., and the Rio Grande, N. j.,
sugar works have largely increased their
capacity The sugar from these
factories are holding their own
in the wholesale market at seven
to nine cents. The average cost-taking the
small factories over the country as a standard-
of producing a gallon of molasses, including
cooperage, is % cents this also includes cultva-
ton An average yield per acre is 123 gallons.
the average price of which is so cents. We take
these figures from over 100 letters from cane
growers in all parts of the Union. The yield of
seed is about twenty-five bushels, equal to corn
at so cents forfeeding. giving a total net profit
of $46.25, with fodder and hog meat producing
skimmings from the factory enough to take the
whole family to every circus that comes to town,
which alone is not to be shifted at
With the machinery now in use a ton OF cane
yields about eighty eight pounds of sugar, aver
aging ten tons to the acre. A light, sandy loan
is found to be the best soil for the sorghum, the
heavier. darker and highly-manured soils giving
a heavier yield, but produce an article inferior
in color and flavor as the sorghum partakes de-
eidedly of the chemical properties of the soil,
which is continued according to DELEGATION
in process of manufacture in the syrup and SUI
gar Lime is found to be the best agent for
eliminating the succulent matter in the sorghum
juice in course Of manipulation; but, as it has
the effect of darkening the syrup-too much of 1T
acting injuriously-the inexperienced should use
it with caution, if at ALL Old-fashioned pans
and primitive kettles are a curse to the sorghum
industry, it being impossible, except in isolated
cases. to make good article of syrup thus.
Their black sorghum twang, pumpkin tast-
ing syrup being forced on the market, casts an
odium on the sorghum products that amount
of the pure, delicious article-and there is no
better-can counterfeit. One black sheep win
corrupt whole flock. There is no excuse for
these kettles and pans. Good eyapofatOfs are
cheap, and will pay the difference i'll cost in one
week, and often in day No farmer that
values his reputation should resort to such crude
machinery, to the detFiment of his sorghum
product and the injury of the trade in general
The molasses should invariably be put in new
barrels. Old, sour barrels from last years crop
dirty vinegar and lard barrels, and such like
ought to sour your crop, II 1t don t--and the
chances are they will. Scripture forbids us put
ting new wine into old bottles, and it might have
added: Neither shalt thou put new sorghum in
old barrels lest it become corrupt, even unto fer
mentation, and the barrels break and the contents
thereof shall be spread abroad. 1t shall come
to pass in those days: There shall be weeping
anu gnaSnlnS OF Jeebn; anu hue 9"aeh ohereVt
shall bow down his head in sorrow and in lamen-
tations, and shall eXclaim with loud Voice:
''Why did l save the penny and lose the poundF
There is too much of this old dirty barrel bust
ness among our farmers. If the sorghum grower
expects to create demand for his products he
must place them on the market in such manner
that they will attract and not repel buyers The
success of the past two seasons has proven TO
the verdi that the sorghum industry is destined
to become one of the great industries of the
greatest nation ON earth, and it behooves every
American farmer to carefully cradle and nourish
it in it's infancy. Our government should take
decided steps looking toward its perfection and
the diffusing of knowledge as to the best vari-
cites. best soil, manner of cultivation and man
ipulation in manufacture