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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 69, 12 July 1873, Page 2

Sorghum Saccharatum.—The following is a Irtter received from Dr. Hector by the Superintendent:—“Colonial Museum, Wellington, New Zealand, May 19, 1873. —Sir, —l have the honor, by direction of the Colonial Secretary, to forward per s.s. Wellington a parcel containing seeds of the sorghum, saccharatum from a supply of the best quality which has been obtained from America. The object of the distribution of the seed is to ascertain whether the plant, when grown in New Zealand, will have the same valuable sugar-producing property that it has elsewhere. For information respecting the circumstances under which the seed has been obtained, I would beg to refer you to the appendix to the journals of the House of Representatives, 1871, g., No. 14, p. 10. I have to request that you will be good enough to distribute the seed to »the settlers in the districts of Kaipara, Tauranga, and Waikato and whoever undertakes to grow the seed should be requested to furnish a few stems of the ripe plant to the laboratory for the purpose of determining the amount of sugar which they produce. —I have, &c., James Hectob. —His Honor T. B. Gillies, Superintendent of Auckland.” The following directions for planting, fertilization, and cultivating cane are from the Sorge Journal (Cincinatti, U.S.A.): —Plant as early as the season and condition of the ground will ensure vegetation. If the season is cold, and the ground wet, the seed is liable to rot. Plant shallow; if in heavy, wet soil, barely beneath the surface. Rich bottom lands may be planted or drilled three-and-a-half or four feet between the rows, and eighteen inches between hills. Lighter lands should be planted four by three-and-a-half or four by four feet. Six or eight seeds to the hill are usually required to give a good stand. The germination of the seed is hastened by soaking or scalding before planting, provided the seed, after being thus started, is planted in damp wellprepared ground; but if the condition of the soil and weather, after planting, is not such as to favor the immediate growth of the seed, it is more liable to perish than if planted in the natural state. If desired to soak and start the seed, put it into a coarse sack, immersed in a tub of hot water, allowing it to remain an hour or two, then, after drawing the water from the seed, put the sack in a basket in a warm room, covering with old blankets to retain heat and moisture. The seed will germinate in from twenty-four to forty-eight hours and should then be planted. Fertilise, if necessary, with any well-rotted avoiding rank, stable, or hog manure. Where the lands have been long cropped artificial fertilisers and guano are often used, but they are not appropriate on comparatively new lands. Ground plaster, lime, and ashes are believed to be appropriate anywhere. Cultivate early and often until the plants get a good start. Most varieties of cane afford a weak, sickly looking growth for a few weeks after the shoots appear above the ground, and the weeds are likely to get the masteiy; planters have, in some instances, when not acquainted with the habit of the cane, become disgusted

with the puny appearance of the young plants, and ploughed them up. There is no occasion for uneasiness if the seeds germinate. The plants seem to hang fire for a few weeks, but they are only waiting to get a “ good ready,” and then they shoot up astonishingly. As soon as possible after the cane comes up, thin out from four to eight plants in a hill. Use only shallow working implements, after the cane becomes two or three feet high, as the roots by this time permeate the whole ground from row to row, and the growth is dwarfed by deep ploughing. Late cultivation prolongs the growing and retards maturity, hence if the season is backward, cease working, and let the cane hasten to maturity. Do not make the mistake of allowing the cane to be fully ripe before harvesting. Cut and work it as soon as the seeds or the majority of them are formed, and before they begin to harden.— Waikato Times.