Description

Blechynden received Morris' instructive letter of 29 May and immediately sent copies to a few of the most prominent people there interested in the subject of Rhea [China grass, ramie]. He also read the letter at their meeting and it is included in their PROCEEDINGS for last month. He does not know whether the interest taken in sugar Sorghum in America has been participated in by any of the British Colonies. Blechynden will send some seeds of what appears to be a very promising Sorghum. Annotated as sent to Lagos, Niger Company and Brisbane. On page 246 of the PROCEEDINGS for May, Morris will find mention made of a sorghum known an as Alapore 'Jooar' from near Bikaner. They have recently received some seed from their correspondent Thakur Jai Narain[?] Singh, and it is a portion of this seed that Blechynden is sending. The fact that the 'Jooar' is in use for the manufacture of sugar is very encouraging. The mill and evaporating pan[?] used are very crude, yet the sample of sugar candy they have is pure white with regular crystals. They have handed one of their well known members, Mr Minchin of the Aska Sugar Works, some seed and a sample of the auger. Minchin expresses great interest in the subject and has promised a careful trial of the plant, as well as analysis of the juice of the sugar. Blechynden ventures to think that the plant might be grown in England, it would make a good fodder if nothing else. He proposes sending a portion of the seed at their disposal to the American Department of Agriculture who have so long been trying to produce a good sugar Sorghum. Blechynden sends some bamboo seed to Morris, which he might find useful for distribution. They always have difficulty in procuring this seed. He regrets to say that none of their correspondents have as yet succeeded in germinating the Caryocar nuciferum [Butter-nut of Guiana] seed received from RBG Kew and distributed some months ago. Annotated. Pages 1 and 2 of 4.

Description

Blechynden received Morris' instructive letter of 29 May and immediately sent copies to a few of the most prominent people there interested in the subject of Rhea [China grass, ramie]. He also read the letter at their meeting and it is included in their PROCEEDINGS for last month. He does not know whether the interest taken in sugar Sorghum in America has been participated in by any of the British Colonies. Blechynden will send some seeds of what appears to be a very promising Sorghum. Annotated as sent to Lagos, Niger Company and Brisbane. On page 246 of the PROCEEDINGS for May, Morris will find mention made of a sorghum known an as Alapore 'Jooar' from near Bikaner. They have recently received some seed from their correspondent Thakur Jai Narain[?] Singh, and it is a portion of this seed that Blechynden is sending. The fact that the 'Jooar' is in use for the manufacture of sugar is very encouraging. The mill and evaporating pan[?] used are very crude, yet the sample of sugar candy they have is pure white with regular crystals. They have handed one of their well known members, Mr Minchin of the Aska Sugar Works, some seed and a sample of the auger. Minchin expresses great interest in the subject and has promised a careful trial of the plant, as well as analysis of the juice of the sugar. Blechynden ventures to think that the plant might be grown in England, it would make a good fodder if nothing else. He proposes sending a portion of the seed at their disposal to the American Department of Agriculture who have so long been trying to produce a good sugar Sorghum. Blechynden sends some bamboo seed to Morris, which he might find useful for distribution. They always have difficulty in procuring this seed. He regrets to say that none of their correspondents have as yet succeeded in germinating the Caryocar nuciferum [Butter-nut of Guiana] seed received from RBG Kew and distributed some months ago. Annotated. Pages 1 and 2 of 4.