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24 SORGHUM SUGAR INDUSTRY. industries, and especially to that of the cultivation of the sugar-caue and sugar-production therefrom. In this country the sugar-planter has to contend with obstacles un- known to the resident of tropical countries. A greater degree of skill and knowledge is here required for the attainment of the same result that elsewhere is reached through the normal operation of natural causes. almost without effort on the part of the planter. Such skill and knowledge can only be attained by a carefully conducted experi- mental inquiry, such as this investigation exhibits. The methods developed in the course of this investigation are also applicable, with but slight modification, to the cultivation of the sugar- cane, and there can be little doubt but that the ultimate effect of such investigations will be to stimulate the Southern sugar-planter to similar experiments for the ascertainment of the most favorable conditions for the prosecution of his own special industry, depending on the culture of tropical cane in subtropical climates, where it never attains its fullest development, and is consequently subject to many adverse conditions unknown in the tropics. As a work of national importance, calculated directly to benefit widely separated sections of the country, it is one that has been wisely undertaken and encouraged by the Department of Agriculture, and is deserving of every aid that Congress may be willing to grant for its encouragement and prosecution. The sugar-planter of Louisiana and Texas may possibly discover that he has at command, in one or more of the larger varieties of sorghum, which, like the so-called "Honduras," "Mastodon," &c., attain at ma- turity, say in four or five mouths, a growth of 18 to 20 feet in height, and a weight of 2 to 5 pounds per stalk, a sugar-producing plant thoroughly adapted to his climate and soil, equal, and possibly superior, in product- ive capacity of cane-sugar to the "Ribbon," "Red," or "White" cane now grown there, and escaping the perils from frost which always attend the cultivation of the cane in those regions where the season is never long enough to permit its full maturity. Of the early maturing varieties, like "Early Orange," it will be possible in southern latitudes to make two crops of sugar and seed in one season, and these, alternating with varieties of longer periods, may extend the sugar crop over nearly half the year.* FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS DESIRABLE. The important work of the past four years at the Department of Agriculture, while it has made substantial additions to our former * We cite in this connection the following letters from Col. H. B. Richards, of La Grange, Texas, the first to Mr. Hedges, and quoted in his communication in Appen- dix XV: " But now let me tell jou about my Orange cane. It is no longer doubtful at all but that the Orange cane will become in this climate perennial, and after this year I will only plant every two years. I have tested it now eflectually for two years, and am convinced that the stubbles will stand colder weather and more of it than those of the Ribbon cane. " My cane from last year's stubbles has larger stalks, is taller, and in every \\ ay ahead of the earliest seed cane at this tiire. # # # * * * * "Yours truly, "HENRY B. RICHARDS. "LA. GRANGE, FAYKTTE COUNTY, TEXAS, April 8, 1882." Also his communication to the Chairman of this Committee, given in full in the Appendix (p. â), of date September 25, 1882, in which he adds the experience of the present season, substantially continuing and extending his former statements.
