Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-04-25
AGRICULTURAL.
Conflicting Reports az to sorghu.

Conflicting Reports az to Sorghum.
Prof. H. w. Wiley, chemist of the ag-
ricultural department, reports against
the feasibility of the profitable manufac-
ture of sugar from sorghum, as indicated
by the experiments mt Rio Grande, n. j.
at Kinner, La, and at cold Springs,
Deuglas and Sterling, Kans. He does
not see any favorable result coming from
the two years trial at Rio Grande. All
the conditions combine to render the
manufacture of sugar on small scale
cOMmercial)y unsuccessful. The practic-
al experiments at Douglass, Professor
Wiley says, consisted in thorough trial
Of the open system of diffusion (the
Hughes system) to test its fitness for
working on large scale. They were not
a success. owing to the failure of the
battery to work separately. The agri-
cultural results, however, were of the
most encouraging nature, showing that
in that locality crop of sorghum cane
can be grown which, with proper care
may be expected to yield eighty or nine
ty pounds of sugar to a ton of pure cane.
Southern and Western Kansas possess
the best soil and climate for sorghum
raising, SO far as is now known. Texas,
Louisiana, Arkansas. Tennessee and
North carolina probably present equally
favorable conditions, but this still awaits
demonstration. The Indian Territory is
destined to be the center of the industry
The expectation of establishing sue
cessful sorghum industry in the great
maize fields of the country must now be
definitely abandoned. A season of man.
ufacture reasonably certain for 60 days,
is an essential condition to success in the
manufacture Of sorghum sugar The
water supply must be abundant and cas-
lily accessible. Factories must be lOcat-
ed in close proximity to the fields, so
that the cost of transportation of the
cane may be reduced to minimum. A
cheap and abundant supply of fuel is not
less important than the raw material it.
self. Recent experiments show strong
probability that the refuse chips of the
cane may be used for fuel. The cost Of
complete factory capable of working
eW tons OF cane day. may be estimated
at $50. 900 to 100000. And finally, in
order to succeed, investors must secure
some one to take charge of the factory
ness and has had some experience in the
conduct thereof.
In short. sorghum, like tree culture.
forms of culture except Indian corn seems
to wait upon irrigation.
Professor Wiley'S scientific conclusions
are peremptorily Overruled by the higher
prophetic spirit of the sorghum editor of
the Kansas city Gazette He says:
Our soil, especially that lying west of
the sixth principal meridian, is peculiarly
adapted by an all-wise chemist for the
sorghum plant. The plant itself is sal
amander. Originating in the hot belt, in
dry zone in china, it is suitably pedi-
greed to flourish in dry sandy soil. and
when being struck BY the hot fierce wind
of July and August. in the exuberance of
| its JOY 1t shouts ha! ha, 1t is iron clad
when it comes 10 insects, and the chinch
bug will have to move on. 1t is true
that the sorghum plant will flourish any
where in the temperate zone that Indian
corn will. but it is only at its best in the
| elevated plains of Western Kansas The
order of things will be changed-the
wife's folks will come from Missouri to
the sorghum countries to spend the win
/ ter.
In few short years there will be es-
tablished at every court house town q
sorghum mill for the farmers cOnven-
tence.
Thus science and prophecy refuse to
agree, even concerning sorghum.
Meanwhile the State of Kansas also has
its agricultural bureau. and on its behalf
Professor cowgirl reports that the indus
try is now on such footing as to invite
the investment of capital. He says it re-
sists drought and chinch bugs is well
adapted to the soil of Kansas: needs
careful cultivation. and is not particular
~ exhaustive Of the soil. though the seeds
and leaves should be consumed on the
land to maintain its fertility.
The amount Of state bounty expended
on the four sugar companies during the
year was SIS. 6o5 Sc. out of an apprOpria-
ton of $4,000 Mr. cowgirl and Mr..
Wiley, it win be seen, report on different
points, the former for possible future
profits. and the latter against actual pres
emit prodts.