Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-08-19
SORGHUM SUGAR,

| Some Of the Western states Where the
Sorghum Plant Can lie Grown.
Although sorghum Is generally con-
sidercd an upstart thrusting itself into
sugnr-canc society, It has claims TO b.
considered the more ancient and aristo-
cratic OF the two. IT is said that
sorghum, which is the durrd of the
East, was the plant originally used BY
the Chinese in making sugar The
differences between the two plants are
many aud vital, despite their botanical
grouping. The sugar-cane (SacctarHm
o6ciHarRm, Linn. is perennial plant
growing in favorable localities some
times for fifty years from the same
roots, propagated not by seed but from
cuttings OF slow growth. and requiring
in the tropics often from fourteen
months 20 two years for its develop
mcnt. The sorghum (SorghRni
UUiqare, Pers }, which is really a cereal,
and much more like maize than like
sugar-canc, is an annual. grown from
seed aud maturing often within three
months. The sugar-cane is of thick
and sturdy growth, with great deal
Of woody fiber in its outer envelope,
and with a tough and dense internal
structure The sorghum is taller and
more slender, of a softer outer structure
and less dense pith. The sorghum, un-
like the sugar-cane, Is crowned with
cluster OF edible seeds, the "sced-
head, used as food for men as well as
for cattle. There are n number OF
species Of sugar-cane, although all are
supposed TO have developed by cultiva-
tion from single progenitor, whose
hubttdt is unknown; the varieties of the
sorghum are less marked, and are all
definitely within one species.
Sorghum sugar making is, in this
country. rather a matter Of prophecy
than Of experience, yet there seems to
be no good reason why the work Of the
Department OF Agriculture. Of which
this industry Is pet nursing, should
not result in developing an important
Interest.
The sugar sorghum Is planted from
seed in April or May, and at first grows
slowly, very like its cousin the broom
corn sorghum. The botanists distin-
guish only one species, but the farmer
finds a good deal of difference between
the Early Amber cane which Is the
favoritc, the Orange, also much planted,
Links Hybrid. tie Honduras, Liborian
and other kinds which ripcn later than
the Early Amber, and are therefore less
suited 20 high latitudes. After the
plant gets It's real start. il grows won
derfully, and with remarkable indie
pendencc Of season and climate, in wet
times or dry times, when Indian corn
would be drowned out or burned up.
and from Minnesota to Texas, where II
has been known 10 develop second
crop from the stubble after the first
has been cut Profitable growing for
sugar Is, however. confined 10 lower
latitudes than at first supposed. and
tho isothermal lines of seventy degrees
for the three summer months is now
thought by the best authorities 10 mark
the sugar limit though sirup may be
proiitably made further north. This
includes Missouri, Tennessee, Ken
lucky, Illinois-which led in sirup pro-
duction In the census year In the order
hamed-Kansas, Southern Indiana, etc.
as probable sugar-producing States
The crop ripens at the North in Sep
iember and October, and at its ma
turity presents fine picture, with lis
deep green LEAKAGE, and the red or dark
tops Of ripening seed. Its great enc
mixes AEe early frosts and the equinoctial
storm, which is apt 10 strike the plant,
Just as IL is ready 10 harvest, top-heavy
with its cone Of seed, and bend Il 10 the
ground. In 1888 the storm played sad
havoc with the ripened crop. The
Western farmers, who grow mostly for
sirup. report yield OF from one hun
dred and fifty gallons Of sirup per acre
up, costing about twenty.four dollars
per acre 10 raise. In addition 10 use OF
land and outfit At fifty cents per
gallon, this would give profit Of about
thirty dollars per acre. but the trouble
Is that this slrup must come into cam
petition with other sirups selling AZ
scarcely above half that price. Il n
IT..