The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-06-09
Sorghum sugar.
lHarpers Magazinel

Although sorghum is generally considered
an upstart thrusting itself into sugar-cane
society, il has claims to be considered the
more ancient and aristocratic of the two. 1t
is said that sorghum, which is the durra OF
the East, was the plant originally used by
the Chinese in making sugar. The differences
between the two plants are many and vital,
despite their botanical groupings The su.
gar cane (Saccharum officinarum, Linn. IS
perennial plant, growing in favorable lOcali-
ties sometimes for fifty years from the same
roots, propagated not by seed but from cut
tr IS of slow growth, and requiring IN the
tropics often from fourteen months to two
years for its development. The
sorghum Sorghum vulgsre, Pers
which is really cereal. aud
much more like maize than like sugar-cane,
is an annual, grown from seed, and matur-
ing often within three months. The sugar
cane is of thick and sturdy growth, with
great deal Of woody fibre in its outer envel-
ope, and with tough and dense internal
structure. The sorghum is taller and more
slender of a sottor outer structure, and less
dense pith. The sorghum, unlike the sugar
cane, is crowned with a cluster of edible
seeds. the "seed-head," used as food for men
as well as for cattle. There are number OF
species of sugar-cane, although all are sup
posed to have developed by cultivation from
a single prOgenitOr, whose habitat is un.
known; the varieties of the sorghum are less
marked, and are all definitely within one
species.
Sorghum sugar making is in this country
rather matter OF prophecy than of expert
ence, yet there seems to be no good reason
Why the work of the Department of Agri-
culture, of which this industry is pet nurs-
ling, should not result in developing an I'M
portant interest.
The botanists distinguish only one species,
but the farmer finds good deal Of difference
between the Early Amber cane" which is
/ a. N,.l
Links Hybrid, the Honduras, Liberian and
other kinds which ripen later than the Early
Amber and are therefore less suited to high
| ATTITUDES. After the plant gets Its real
| start it grows wonderfully, and
| with remarkable independence of
season and climate, in wet times or dry
| times, when Indian corn would be drowned
| out or burned up, and from Min nesota to
| Texas, where il has been known to develop
| a second crop from the stubble after the first
| has been cut Profitable growing for sugar
| is, however, col fined to lower ATTITUDES than
at first supposed, and the isothermal lines OF
| 100 for the three summer months is no "
4 thought by the best authorities to mark the
sugar limit, though strip may be sproti,ably
made further north. This includes Mis-
| souri,, Tennessee, Kentucky. Illinois-which
| led in strip production in the census year
in the order named-kansas, Southern
| Indiana, etc. as probable sugar producing
| States. The crop ripens at the North in
| September and October and at its maturity
| ID escnts a line picture with its deep green
| LEAKAGE, and the red or dark tops of ripening
] seed. Its great enemies are early frosts and
the plant Just as it is ready to harvest, top.
| heavy with its cone of seed, and bend it TO
the ground. In 1883 the storm played sad
havoc with the ripened crop. The Western
| farmers, who grow mostly for strip, report
| a yield from 100 gallons of strip per acre
up, costing about S2I per acre to raise, in adj
| ditiOn to use of land and outfit At fifty
cents per gallon, this would give profit of
about so per acre; but the trouble is that
| this sirup must come in competition with
other sirups selling at scarcely above half
that price.
| The Flower Garden and Lawn in June.
Run the lawn-mower as often as once a
week, or oftener if the rapid growth of grass
| requires il. In a dry time NOW less fire.
| quently. 1t is a good plan to have the edge
of beds in the lawn cut sloping, as this will
| allow them to be kept in order more easily.
ANIMALS sown now will make a fine display
late in the season. Coleuses and SIMILAR
foliage plant" may now be planted in beds
in the lawn. Cannas and tuberoses should
now be planted. Everlasting flowers" so
called, will be needed at Christmas
and it will be well to provide foI
the demand by sowing seeds of hell
| cbrysums, rhodanthes and others. Weeds
whether in the lawn or on the border, must
be kept in subsection. A sharp stiff knife
that will cut tue roots well below the sur
face is most useful implement for wedding
| in the garden. Greenhouse plants, as a rule
are set out of doors, but they should not be
given over to neglect. If the pots are sci
upon pavement provide a layer of coal
ashes, that worms may not enter. Plant:
thus placed for the summer must have all
needed water; they must not be overrun by
insects, nor should their roots be burned by
| the beating OF the sun against the pots. In
deed plants that are set out require as much
il not rather more care, than il they had
been lett inside. Guard against injury by
dogs.