EXPERIMENTS WITH SORGHUM.

Patea Mail, 11 September 1882, Page 4

EXPERIMENTS WITH SORGHUM.

At a meeting of the Auckland Institute on July 3 sth, Mr Justice Gillies, said On the Bth’ of August last I had the honor to present to this Society some notes on the growth of sorghum in this district meaning by this district the volcanic soil on which 1 live at Epsom, close to the base of the old volcanic crater of Mount Eden. In such light and poor, though quick soil, I did not expect the sorghum saccharatum to develop its full capacity of growth, nor did I, in the moist climate of this isthmus of Auckland, except it to develop to the full extent its saccharine properties. On that occasion, however, I proved that even on such soil (not manured) I had produced at the rate of 6,2 tons per acre of topped but unstripped cane of the Early Amber sorghum. My experiments this year show me that this was equal to about 5.25 tons of topped and stripped cane ready for crushing, I now proceed to give my experiments of this year. First, as to the growth .of the cane : From circumstances over which I had no control, I was able this year to grow and cultivate properly only one quarter of an acre of the Early Amber from American seed. It was grown on the same soil on which I had raised last year’s crop, but I gave it chemical manure in accordance (as nearly as I could obtain the ingredients hero) with M. Georges Yilles’ formula (on artificial manures, Crooke’s translation, 1879,' page 396) for sorgho. I planted in the second week of November —a little too late, I think—in drills 3ft. apart, with about four seeds 2ft. Gin. apart in the drill. Absence from home prevented my noting the various stages of growth, bub it was ready for cutting— i.e., the seed was ripening—in the second week of April. As yon are aware the season •was an exceptionally wet and cold one, which no doubt interfered materially both with its growth and ripening. In the second week of April I cut, topped, and stripped a ton and a half weight, leaving fully as much more standing for cattle feed. This gives a yield of 12 tons per acre of topped and stripped cane, or considerably more than double what I obtained from the same ground on the previous year, Some of my own seed of the previous year, which I had sown broadcast, showed much stronger and heavier, but I had no means of accurately estimating the difference. I had, in spring, distributed a large quantity of both American and New Zealand grown seed, and so far as I have heard the New Zealand grown seed produced the heaviest crop. The testimony of other growers was also given, when Mr Gillies, continued : From my own experience, therefore, and the testimony thus afforded me, I think I am warranted in saying that on average land, properly cultivated, as for a crop of maize, a crop of Early Amber cane of 15 tons to the acre, topped and stripped, may be reasonably expected. On poor soils, or if not kept clean from weeds, or in unfavorable seasons, the yield may be less; on rich soil, well cultivated, and in favorable seasons, the the yield may be much greater. So much for the growth of the plant.