for both corn and sorghum. Deep plowing is necessary because the roots are very strong, penetrating far down. If not plowed in the fall, plow deep in the spring as early as possible. After resting until proper time for planting, take a smallsized stirring plow and throw two furrows together, north and south, all through the field. Mr. Isaac A. Hedges, of Ohio, who has had great experience in growing Sorghum, recommends rows running east and west, for the reason that the west wind-storms are the most destructive, and a crop planted in rows running in the direction of the prevailing winds, will, of course, stand much better than one the rows of which are transverse to such direction. Our farmers must decide this conflict of experience for themselves, by taking for their guide the prevailing winds during the season of its growth, and act accordingly. Have the ridges three and a half feet apart as for sweet potatoes. The air will circulate through the ridges, and it will be warm and dry when the level soil will be wet and cold. It is a plant that wants a warm, dry soil, when the plants are young. It will grow on this ridge at once, whilst on level land it will take several weeks to get started. Cold Spring rains do not affect them as they are out of the way of them. If the ground is weedy, it can be plowed out both ways immediately after planting, if necessary, as the hills are easily seen, and so high that they will not get covered up, as when planted in a furrow. Cane planted in this way will ripen early.

SEED.

A committee at the Rockford Convention, in Illinois, appointed for that purpose, reported in substance as follows, on the best varieties of seed to be used: That, in co sequence of great diversity of opinions and experience of producers, they find it difficult to designate any one variety of Cane to be preferred. It appears that in Winnebago county, any one of the Canes grown, (and all are reported to be tried,) when raised from pure seed, with proper culture and care, produces good results. In the selection of seed, therefore, special regard should be had to the question of its purity or freedom from amalgamation with other plants which tend to its deterioration. The production from the Yellow Imphee, or African Cane, has more frequently resulted in crystalization than any other. This variety is also desirable on account of its habit of early maturing. Of the different kinds of Chinese Cane known in this county, the Committee infer, from all the informa tion before them, that neither the smallest, earliest varieties, nor yet the largest and later sorts, but a medium between these two extremes-the Committee know not by what name to designate it-is most desirable for cultivation. As a means of success they recommend the selection of seed from such crops as the experience of producers has proved most profitable, guarding most scrupulously against every appearance of mixture with all and any of the plants with which the Cane will hybridize. They also recommend the importation of seed, from time to time, from localities where the climate is more congenial to the perfection of the Cane." The following resolution was also adopted at that Convention: "That, in the estimation of this Convention, there are only three kinds of Cane, viz: Chinese Sugar Cane, having black seeds, growing in prongs from two to seven inches long; the second or tufted variety, to be known as African; and the third variety, lately introduced, known as the Otaheitan, long heads, from seven to twelve inches in length, and from one to two in thickness."

Mr. O. N. Brainerd, of Linn county in this State, says: "I have seen Cane planted from seed grown among Indian Corn run completely out by the third planting, so that there was no juice in the stalks, and yet the seed was apparently perfect." There were but few, if any, of the speakers at the Rockford Convention whose experience justified them in supporting Mr. Brainerd's experience. Still, it would be well to keep all Cane intended for seed, from the influence of all grades and varieties of Corn.

PREPARATION OF SEED.

There are many who, when they have the land properly prepared, and the season is favorable, plant the seed without any preparation, but soaking the seed is generally practiced as follows: Put the seed into a cloth bag and soak in warm water over night, then bury the bag in a warm soil or straw pile until sprouted. Two weeks is said to be gained by this process. Care should be taken not to have the water so hot as to scald the seed, as some have lost their seed in this way.

It requires nearly three times the length of time to sprout the Sorghum that it does for the Imphee.

TIME OF PLANTING.

It would be altogether useless to attempt the naming of any particular date for planting. Seasons differ; hence it can only be advised to plant as early as the ground, by being dry and warm, seems fit for the seed, and then plant shallowvery shallow-from one-half to one inch in depth. It is well to know that the cane will bear transplanting. In this way missing hills may be supplied, or early crops grown, by starting in hot beds, and transplanting in May or June. It can be planted to good advantage, one week before corn, for if it is cut off by frost, it will shoot right up again, more stocky than before.

PLANTING.

An experienced grower says: Put ten to twenty seeds in a hill, and plant on the ridge. If the land is poor use less seed. What is wanted is to have main stalks enough to prevent suckering, which is secured by having a large quantity in the hills. A main stalk three quarters of an inch through contains as much sacharine matter as one two inches; therefore, an acre of stalks, four to the hill, yields one quarter as much syrup as an acre of stalks sixteen to the hill. Twelve gallons of juice from the large stalks (or four in the hill) will make one gallon of syrup, and four and a half gallons of juice from the smaller stalks (or sixteen to the hill,) will make the same amount of syrup, and of a better quality-consequently four hundred gallons of syrup can be made to the acre as easily, so far as cultivation is concerned, as two hundred gallons. The same person says that he has had twenty-five stalks to the hill, and there was none too much then, as the stalks were all perfect, with no suckers among them. Suckers must be avoided, as when they are permitted to grow up they detract greatly from the strength of the main plant, and impede the workmen in gathering the crop, as they are often in doubt which to select and cut; besides, if gathered along with the main stalks and sent to the mill, they impart to the syrup a wild grassy flavor, together with an excess of acid, which is difficult to remove, and which proves a positive barrier to the manufacture of sugar.

CULTIVATION.

The young cane is very diminutive, and is hardly distinguishable from the foxtail or summer grass, hence the importance of clean ground. The plants require no other or greater attention in the way of hoeing than is bestowed upon Indian or broom corn. The amount and manner of such cultivation will differ in various seasons, as is well understood, by our corn growers. Do not plow among it after it gets two feet high, as it prevents its ripening, and it will not have as much saccharine matter in it. Some crops have been ruined by too long cultivation.

CUTTING AND HANDLING.

The only explicit, reliable and sensible directions for cutting and handling are given by Mr. Hedges, in the U. S. Patent office report for 1861, which we give entire, as follows: "As has already been intimated, in reference to the time for planting, the time to commence cutting depends greatly upon the season, varying as the weather has been more or less favorable for maturing the plant. Of one thing, however, we are certain, viz: that as soon as frost has killed the foliage and seed tufts, the cane will gain nothing by standing out in the hill; on the contrary, if the stalk has been frosted, and is left exposed to the warm sun, it will commence much sooner to ferment in its juices than if cut and stacked or housed. Previous to cutting, the leaves should be stripped off by hand, if desired for fodder or if they are desired to be left on the ground, by a smart stroke of a stick about four feet long. The seed heads, together with about four feet of the cane, should be cut off and tied into small bundles with the leaves; they are far better as food for every kind of stock than sheaf oats, and are richly worth saving.

"After the canes have been stripped and cut, as above directed, they should be cut off near to the ground, and tied in bundles of twenty or thirty stalks, with the

wilted leaves. Each bundle should be tied in two places, which will greatly facilitate the subsequent handling. In this condition the cane may be set up in ricks in the open air, or, preferably, under shelter, and kept for some weeks. Such keeping improves the juice not only in flavor, but also in saccharine richness, from one to three degress." Care should be taken to keep the stalks from the earth, especially if the earth is wet, as the severed end will absorb more or less of the soil which affects the syrup injuriously. In this, as in boiling, keep every part liable to enter the juice scrupulously clean.

If, at any time while the cane is standing, a sharp freeze should occur, the whole crop should be slashed down and thrown into wind rows, with the tops uppermost. If much difficulty should then arise in stripping off the leaves, the canes may be ground with the leaves adherinig, but the tops should be freely cut off. All possible dispatch should be used after freezing in getting the canes through the mill, lest a warm sun should come out, and fermentation and souring commence. The frost does no harm of itself, but when the warm weather follows the mischief is done." In regard to the necessity of stripping the leaves from the stalk, the statement made at a sorgo convention held at Columbus, Ohio, on the 6th of January last, elicited the fact that equally as good samples of syrup could be produced without as with stripping, and that unless stripping could be dispensed with the profitable culture of home made syrup must be abandoned. Will not experiments be made in our State the coming season to test whether stripping is absolutely necessary?

MILLS AND GRINDING.

Perhaps two-thirds of the syrup made in Iowa is received from the wooden mills, which are generally so badly constructed that not more than one-half of the syrup can be made from them as can be done with the iron mill. They should be discarded so soon as possible and iron mills substituted. Mr. O. N. Brainerd says: "A one horse mill will answer for a small lot, which can be obtained for $40, warranted; but a two horse mill is better, with one 18 inch roller and two 9 inch rollers, as one man with two horses can press enough juice in ten hours to make from 100 to 150 gallons of syrup-which costs $85." Another experienced person says, that to purchase a one horse mill would be throwing away money. Just at this point, however, as we are writing for the benefit especially of the small manufacturers, it is difficult to know what kind of information will benefit the larger class of syrup manufacturers, unless they adopt the only proper plan, especially if econemy is consulted, which is to crush the cane with the iron mill. Better take the cane a reasonable distance to such a mill and give one-half of the yield for making it into syrup than to make it on a wooden mill. But the expense of hauling it to such a mill may be avoided by engaging some experienced party who has a portable iron mill and evaporator to work the cane in the field where it grows. If a neighborhood within a circle of ten miles, would guarantee about 50 acres to work up to any person with an iron mill, it would amply pay the manufacturer and producer, and there would be a saving of at least 25 per cent. to the producer over that worked up on a wooden mill and with a common pan. With the present facilities for manufacturing in this State, the average cost of the production of the syrup, after deducting all expenses, cannot probably be less than 25 cents a gallon. If the grower would have it worked up as suggested he would save from five to ten cents a gallon. Even at the highest cost named he saves considerable in the item of "sweetening" for his own family, but it can be made to pay better when manufactured in a well arranged establishment, according to a good method or system-in such an establishment the cost of manufacturing a gallon of syrup should not exceed six cents. Even should it require the concentration of all the surplus capital in a neighborhood to establish and carry on such works, it had better be done than that a number of diminutive establishments should be started to prove so many failures. It would lengthen this article too much to give all that should be said in regard to setting up and using the iron mills. Those who buy them will doubtless receive all the necessary instructions from the manufacturer, but if so or not, their attention is directed to some very valuable experience on this head in the Patent Office Report for 1861, page

SORGO CONVENTION IN WISCONSIN.

On the 6th of February, 1864, there was a large convention of sugar cane growers held at Madison, Wisconsin, at which, after a full discussion, the following resolutions were passed:

Resolved, That it is the sense of this convention that high, dry and rich lands are preferable for profitable cane growing, to low and rich lands, but that good ordinary corn lands are generally safe for successful culture.

Resolved, That where extensive crops of cane are to be grown, we recommend the early planting of both early and later maturing varieties, to give succession of ripening for convenience in manufacture.

The following resolution, which was passed unanimously, which is so contrary to all experience here or elsewhere, is inserted here under protest, and not with the view of its general adoption. Under very favorable circumstances it might perhaps, be safely tried:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention that it is the safest way, under all circumstances, to plant the seed dry, and very lightly-not to exceed onefourth of an inch in depth, and as early in spring as the ground is sufficiently warm to warrant the hope of an early germination.

Mr. Willie offered a resolution that experiments in soaking and transplanting be continued, with a view to report at next meeting-unanimously adopted.

Manuring.-On the subject of manures there was the usual difference of opinion. Some had produced a bad syrup from the use of strong animal manures. Others thought if the same was well rotted and thoroughly incorporated, no bad effects would follow. Every one admitted that a larger growth of cane was the result of their use. In one or two instances the cane on highly manured soil grew pithy and destitute of saccharine matter.

Mr. Plumb offered a resolution recommending the use of plaster, ashes, or lime applied to the hill, as a stimulus to an early and rapid growth, especially in clay soils.

After discussing the merits of these fertilizers the resolution was adopted, after striking out the words "clay soils."

When to cut the cane.-There was a diversity of opinion as to how long cane may be kept without injury. If properly cared for, several weeks, or even months, might ensue between cutting and working. The matter was finally closed up with the following:

Resolved, That cane is frequently improved by lying for some time after being cut, and that it can be safely kept in dry, sheltered places, for many weeks, without spoiling.

Mills. Upon the subject of machinery one whole evening and part of a forenoon were consumed. The relative merits of horizontal and vertical mills were fully canvassed. Except for very small crops the horizontal mills seem to be almost universally adopted. A resolution stating it to be the sense of the convention that the horizontal mill is the most desirable, was passed.

Seeds.-The committee upon seeds recommended for general planting the Chinese cane, but not to the exclusion of all other varieties; that seed should if possible be obtained near the vicinity where to be used. If from abroad only reliable sources should be drawn upon. It recommended not to mix varieties, and not to plant in the close vicinity of broom or other corn. The report was accepted and adopted.

SORGO CONVENTION IN MICHIGAN.

At this convention, held in January last, nothing was determined upon; but during the progress of the debate on seeds Messrs. C. Cary & Sons, of Lima, Indiana, submitted the following statement as to the merits of the Otaheitan cane:

“The great attraction of the Otaheitan cane, we have found to be in its superior sugar making properties. Besides the numerous good reports of it coming to us from abroad, we have ourselves made actual experiments on it for two successive seasons, and hence have practical knowledge of what we here state. In our first year's limited experiments with this cane the syrup commenced gran

ulating on the evaporator, and portions of it taken promiscuously from the lot and kept in a warm room for twelve hours, became a solid mass of well crystali zed sugar. The remainder, under poorer treatment, granulated to nearly the same extent. That this production was not of an inferior grade, we have the enlightened testimony of many experienced judges."

"Our second year's experiments, notwithstanding extreme drought, early frosts, and damaged canes, have been equally successful. In these numerous experiments we have found quite uniformly, in our more matured canes, the same easy, natural tendency to granulation. Šample after sample that we have taken from different lots of Otaheitan syrup at the time of manufacture, and retained in a warm temperature, have soon become solid with sugar, while other portions of the same lots have extensively granulated without further care or facilities. In short, from what we have already seen and known in relation to this species of cane, we can but indulge the pleasing hope, that with due attention to the subject, its choice sugars will soon be numbered with the staple productions of our country."

[Between sixty and seventy pounds of this variety of seed will be distributed this spring from this office, which from personal experience I am satisfied is the best grown-Secy.]

GROWING AND PREPARING FLAX FOR MARKET.

FIBROUS PLANTS.

At the present time when the attention of the entire civilized world is turned eagerly toward the whole class of fibre-producing plants, to solve the great questions: What shall we use for the manufacture of all the lighter textile fabrics?— What shall we do for paper stock?-How shall we procure at a moderate price the material for cordage, for twine, and for other purposes of analagous character? it is certainly not requisite that we should make any apology for saying a few words on the subject of fibrous plants.

The fibres used in manufacture are all derived from one of three sources: the leaves of plants, the bark, or in some cases, the wood, and the capsules, pods, or fruit.

Of leaves yielding fibre, there are many examples, most of them in tropical or semi-tropical countries. As a general rule, it may be stated that all leaves having parallel veins will yield fibre, some, of course, of better quality than others. The common cane, the maize or Indian corn, the lily, the cat-briar, the water lily and most of the grasses, are the best examples of leaves producing fibre in temperate countries; in the tropics, the various species of the agave, the yuccas, the plantains, and the great family of palms, are the most frequent sources of fibrous products brought into the market. Manilla hemp, Sisal hemip, silk grass, &c., are obtained from these plants.

Of plants having fibrous bark, the number is very great, and a large portion of them are natives of the temperate zone. Some of them are trees, such for instance, as the linden or basswood, which forms so large a portion of the forests of the Apalachian chain, and the wild fig, or banyan tree of the tropics. The greater number, however, are herbaceous, like the mallows family, many of which are experimented upon for the material for paper stock; the nettle family, all of which have fibrous stalks; to this family belongs the common hemp, the flax family and some varieties of the pea and bean family, such, for instance, as the crotolaria, which produces the Sun or Bengal hemp. The stems of these plants consist of a woody core, surrounded by a sheath of fibrous texture, the sheath and core being