Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-03-27
THE SORGHUM INDUSTRY.

In view of the fact that the sorghum
industry of the Northwest has been
neglected to such great measure; and
knowing that it still continues to be a
profitable production wherever it is
cultivated; would call the attention
Of our farmers to a deeper consider
alton OF this branch of agricultural in
dustry.
No crophas been more neglected in
this state than the cane crop and none
can be more profitable. The main real
son why this crop mas been neglected
so much is because Of the scarcity Of
cane mills. and the inferior quality of
most of the syrup that has been made.
And most of this has been made in i'm
perfect iron pans by inexperienced
workmen.
Throughout the northwest. during
the past five years, we do not believe
there has been any crop that has paid
The farmers near what the cane crop
has. especially those who have used
the latest improved process OF making
sorghum syrup.
Why could this not apply to our
country? You can raise i'm acre OF
cane as easily as an acre of corn
| While the acre of corn will not bring
to exceed $1,000 from thaacre OF cane
you will realize, at least. $4,000. This
is putting it very low. In the western
and southern states, one hundred gall
Ions per acre is hardly an average
yield (some will run two hundred and
| fifty gallons.l This at the low price
of forty cents gallon (most sorghum
sold at fifty cents the last year, is $40
per acre. Land yielding forty bushels
OF corn per acre, should produce $50 to
225 gallons of syrup. The yield de-
pending greatly on the soil, climate
season and waste in manufacturing.
| We ask; Is there any crop to equal it,?
! We answer, no. Some cane growers
say they can make more out OF their
cane crop than Off the balance OF the
farm. You can do as wellas others.
will give few hints as to culture,
SEED; First of all, procure pure, tested
seed of the best variety, suitable Tor
your soil. One pound of good seed is
worth many pounds of the common
neighborhood seed as it deterloiates in
a few years, by continuous planting in
the same soil and climate.
We should change seed every other
year to gain the best results, and have
a fine syrup. Your crop depends on
The quality o. your seed. For north
ern crops we would advise planting the
Early Amber, it ripens anywhere that
field corn will, and if planted April Is
to May lst., will ripen August 9th. to
Goth. The Early Orangehas proven to
be one OF the best varieties known, and
Will ripen about ten days later than
Amber. 1t is more stalky, and exceed
ingly heavy yielder. The white seed
Honey Dew introduced only short
time ago is a fine variety, 1t ripens
about the same as Orange, and is a
grand yielder.
Figure four pounds of seed to the
acre.
Soil; Cane will do well OF any soil
that will produce corn or wheat. Sandy
upland soil is best. New land, especi-
ally sod yields good syrup. MANFRED
land generally gives poor syrup. Clay
soil gives fine syrup Plow the soil
deep and pulverize thoroughly; then
prepare and work same as corn. The
more cultivation, the better the cane,
and the greater the yield of syrup.
PLANTING, Plant your cane crop
about the first thing in the season, ant.
in rows, same as corn, to plow both
ways, or sowin drills. Drop z or S
seeds IN a hill and cover thinly. The
ground should he warm so as to sprout
the seed quickly, ii covered too deep
and the ground should get cold and wet
the seed will rot. Cane being OF slow
growth at first it is necessary to give
1t all the assistance possible, or the
weeds will choke it. When about aS
inches high it should be laid by, as any
more blowing will only injure it.
Later on in the season | Will write
an article on How and When to Har-
vest the Cane Crop.
Having had some experience in the
sorghum business, it is my intention
to start syrup factory in Washington
Springs, the coming season; and / ex-
pect to continue and increase the ca
pacity TOR work as the cultivation of
this crop increases in the future. ex-
pect to make sorghum syrup on an i'm
proved plan from what any has been
made in this county, lis yet.
With the aid of a recently patented
Sell Swimming Evaporator' | will
not only be able to manufacture fine
first class pure article of syrup, but to
make fine quality Of sugar from the
syrup. Sugar made on this plan has
tested as high as IS per cent pure.
Realizing that the demand for good