SORGHUM SACCHARATUM. Pers.
Andropogon saccharatus, Holcus saccharatus, Linn.
.Rozb. Broom corn? of America! A. caffrorum, Kunth..? Deo-dban, . . . BENG. Sorgho-sucre, . . . Fit. Luh-stth, Tih-che, CHIN. Joar-valaiti, . . HIND.
Shaloo, . . . . DnICH. Salu, MAHR. Sorgho, Sorgo, . . ENG. Devata dhanyamu, TEL. Chinese northern sugar- Jonna, cane, This is a plant of Northern China. About the year 1853 it was introduced into the south of France and England, and since then into the United States. It was introduced into the Madras Presidency by the Editor iu the year 1859. Dr.
Itirdwood, however, soya it is simply the Shitloo of the Dekhan and the Deo-dhan of Bengal. But Roxburgh (i. p. 271) doubts if his A. saccharotus or Deo-Ethan is the II. anchor:Ala of Linineus, and describes it as having oval Reed, and Voigt calls it Sada deo-dhan, white ; whilst the plant which the Editor introduced in 1859 has a black grain different from that of the Imphee and the Sorgho, which the Editor also introduced from the Cape of Good Hope, all of which were yellowish white. In China, the black seeds are sown in ril. but the plant is largely propagated by cuttings. It growo to the height of 12 to 18 feet, with an ample inflorescence, consisting of eight or tell separate stems, which group together to form the tuft of the plant. Tho large leaves, which make excellent green food or diy fodder for cattle, spring from the nodes 'of the gradually tapering stems. The seeds, at first green, become brown, and finally of a purplish-black colour, being produced only on the head of the plant.
They are very nutrient, and the colouring matter has been used in China to tint wine of a deep colonr. Since the efforts made in Madras, the Sorghum &tech:et-stunt has been grow!' for makin,g syrup in almost every part of the United States. The usual machinery, consisting of three rollers, either vertical or horizontal, and driven by steam or horse power. It is believed that cane in a• high latitude will degenerate if grown continu ously front its own seed. The Minnesota early amber variety is said to combine the character istics of the Chinese Sorgho and the Imphee or white Liberian, and its kindred African varieties. Its early ripening and the bright amber colour of its syrup give its name. It is very rich in saccharine matter, the flavour very similar to that of pure honey. The syrup granu lates readily, and yields sugar equal to the best ribbon-cane of Louisiana. Chinese Sorgho is also known as Chinese cane, also sumac cane, as its seed -heads resemble a head of sumac. The stalk of the white Liberian or white Imphee curves at the top, leaving the head pendent, hence its name Goose Neck. The seed heads are shorter, more compact, and of lighter colour than the early amber. The Honduras cane grows about one - half taller than the carly amber, Chinese, or Liberian varieties. Its seed top is of reddish -brown and spreading, hence the synonym sprangle top.' It ts also called Maslodon and honey-canc.—Later rf the Commissioner of Agricultrire, Washington, 8th April 1880.