The habit of this variety is similar to that of Advancer and Epicurean, but the foliage is of a light green colour; except in this respect, it does not differ materially from Epicurean, and it comes into use at the same time. It is another of Dr. Maclean's seedlings, but may readily be dispensed with.

58. Climax
NOBLE, COOPER, & BOLTON.
SYN: Fairhead's Excelsior...SUTTON & SONS.
Napoléon

The plant is of strong and robust habit, 3 feet to 3 feet high, unbranched. Foliage rather light green and blotched. The pods, which are from thirteen to nineteen on a plant, generally in pairs, fill very badly, rarely containing more than four or six fully developed Peas, the others being abortive. Ripe seed green and wrinkled.

Sown February 19th; bloomed May 26th; slatted June 13th; ready for use July 12th.

This produces a great many pods, but they are badly filled. When first introduced it was considered useful on account of its earliness; but now it is not worth growing.

scribe all the places inspected: therefore, those only which may be considered exceptional in circumstances will be described in this report. The preceding and first following places may be taken as types of the others, or the conditions we found them in. Many of those whose places we visited were quite intelligent on the disease and its cure, and the various experiments that have been tried. Others were ignorant of the existence of the disease in their vineyards even till pointed out to them.

Messrs. Duprees, about 130,000 Vines. Steen Grape slightly affected with the disease. None last year. The Vines in this place look very vigorous. Recommended the remedy, &c.

Mr. Van der Spuy's, about 40,000 Vines. Disease appearing in the Green Grape, but not general. Vines look healthy. Mr. Van der Spuy represents he could not use any remedy, were his Vines ever so bad, for want of hands to apply it. Recommended the remedy, and exhibited the apparatus and mode of applying the sulphur, however. Mr. Daniel Marais, about 60,000 Vines, mostly Steen and Green Grape. The disease quite general on the Steen Grape; a few plants were affected last year, but no remedy applied. Experiments have been made this year by burning roll sulphur under the shoots, but without any success, except in destroying some of the foliage. Mr. Marais is to proceed at once to apply the proper remedy. Soil sandy, with apparently plenty of moisture. Situation low, and sheltered with trees.

Mr. D. Behr's, containing 150,000 Vines. Disease pretty general throughout the vineyard; most severe on the Steen Grape growing on the drier parts. No remedy applied as yet. Recommended the immediate application of sulphur. Soil and situation very similar to Mr. D. Marais' place.

Mr. G. S. Marais, Watergate, about 100,000 Vines, nearly all Steen and Green Grape. Disease general; most severe on the Steen. Fumigation with roll sulphur has been tried, but without any apparent success. Described the proper remedy and its application. Soil sandy.

Called at the place of Mr. D. Beyers (to whom we had a letter of introduction). Did not find him at home. Was informed by two young men we met that disease of any kind did not exist there. This is a fine estate. We regret not having seen the vineyard, where, we were afterwards assured, the disease does exist.

Mr. W. Haupt, M.L.A., about 150,000 Vines. Examined the whole of the vineyards, and found the disease general on all kinds of ground, but most intense and most fully developed on the Steen Grape growing on the high dry ground. No remedy applied as yet, but a quantity of sulphur has just arrived, and two of the sulphurators we brought from town are left for commencing to-morrow. Found his Excellency the Governor and suite here, en route to the frontier. His Excellency expressed much anxiety regarding the spread of the disease, and hoped the farmers would, without delay, proceed to use effectively the remedy recommended, as the only one found effectual in Europe in saving the vintage.

This is a fine, well-timbered estate, with some magnificent Oaks surrounding the mansion. The orchards and the orangeries are extensive; but the Peach, Apricot, and Nectarine crop here is an entire failure this season, as is the case in almost every place visited since leaving Cape Town. (There seems to be a general impression that the Peach, Nectarine, Apricot, and Apple trees are affected with the same disease as the Vine; such is not the case, however. We may make a few observations on this head at the end of our report.)

dorp. 100,000 Vines. Disease general here on all sorts grown, most intense on the Green Grape. 10,000 Vines have already been sulphured, for which 50 lbs. of sulphur have been used. Various modes of applying the sulphur have been tried, including the sulphurator recommended by the Commission, which Mr. Retief complains gets clogged up with the sulphur when the Vines are wet. As might be expected, much variety of opinion exists regarding the propriety of watering the Vines previous to applying the sulphur. It may be found necessary in practice; but in no way can the water combine in action with sulphur on the disease. We will make a few observations on this head at the end of our report. Disease was rather prevalent in this vineyard last year, and a considerable portion of the crop was lost by "rust." The crop this year is abundant, and the Vines well aired; indeed, we are assured, the wind blows with great violence from the prevailing quarter. The proprietors are to proceed vigorously with the application of sulphur. Here is the largest Oak we have seen in South Africa; at 2 feet from the ground it cannot measure less than 13 feet in diameter, with limbs and head in proportion. Several others have been cut down in the neighbourhood; the stump of one remaining about 20 inches above the surface, measures three (3) good paces across, or about 11 feet in diameter.

Mr. Lodewyk Brink, Rustenvrede, about 90,000 Vines. This is a very fertile place, and in good years produces 180 leaguers of wine. The disease was found to have attacked the Grapes about three weeks ago. On some of the sorts sulphur has been vigorcusly applied, and with good effect. The Frontignac, which the proprietor assured us were much affected fourteen days ago, are now quite free from mildew. Twenty thousand Vines of all kinds have been sulphured, and 150 lbs. of sulphur used. Disease attacked this vineyard last year, and the proprietor reaped nothing from a mixed lot of 15,000 Muscadels, Haanepoots, and Lachrymæ Christis. The damp part of the vineyard was the least affected last year, the same feature occurs this. The Steen is the most severely attacked and has the disease most fully developed. Mr. Brink is under the impression that irrigation is beneficial in arresting the spread of the disease, but he is prepared to proceed vigorously with the application of sulphur.

The adjoining farms of Messrs. G. de Wet and Hugo, of about 80,000 Vines each, are both affected with the scourge. Sulphur is being applied; already about 20,000 plants have been sulphured with the apparatus recommended by the Commission. In both of these vineyards the higher and driest parts were first affected, and the disease is most intense there (To be continued.)

low.

CULTURE OF SORGHUM,

AND THE MANUFACTURE OF SYRUP AND SUGAR THEREFROM.

(Continued from page 224.)

Mode of Manufacture.-Believing that in the vast majority of cases, the manufacture of Sorghum syrup and sugar will be carried on in small establishments, I shall more particularly describe the process suitable for such. The first consideration is a good mill. I shall not speak of the wooden mill, as such are rapidly growing out of date, and will soon be numbered amongst the things of "bygone days." A good substantial one-horse iron mill will grind in twelve hours enough juice to make forty or fifty gallons of syrup. Taking this for a standpoint, the operator can be guided in his purchase by the contemplated extent of his establishment. So far as I can learn, Hedges' mill is the most reliable mill in the market at present, though others may exist of equal merit.

Mr. A. de Villiers, Silvermine, where we were to remain overnight. This is a fine estate, occupying an elevated site but protected from violent winds by trees and rising ground. The soil is of a more retentive nature than that of any farm visited during the day. In appearance and constituents it much resembles the soils in some of the higher Constantia vineyards, especially a large tract of land behind the mansion newly broken up and intended for the Pontac Grape Vine after a grain crop, 100,000 Vines. The disease has made its appearance slightly on most of the Vines, except the Haanepoot. No remedy applied as yet, but a quantity of flowers of sulphur has been procured, and the sulphuring commences to-morrow. The energy and intelligence of the proprietor is a guarantee that the work will be effectually done. No disease last year. Left one of our sul-all who have used them in this county. phurators here. The Peach and Apricot crop here, as elsewhere, is a failure.

December 4.-Left the hospitable residence of Mr. de Villiers and proceeded to the place of Messrs. Russouw & Retief, Neuwe

The mills put up by Douglas Brothers, of Ohio, have many of them proved failures. My own broke "all to smash" before I had run it a month, and I was obliged to borrow a neighbour's (of a different make) to finish up. Rollers, shafts, boxing, all went. An examination of the iron by competent judges resulted in pronouncing it completely worthless. It might have happened accidentally that the whole mill should have been composed of such stuff. More or less fault has been found by

I do not wish to injure the sale of this mill, but such misfortunes are exceedingly vexatious, and cause the unhappy owners much loss, occurring as they do when every day is pre

* A leaguer, a Cingalese measure, containing 150 gallons.

cious, and a foundry many miles away. Doubtless there will be reliable mills put up in our own State during the coming sea son amply sufficient to supply all wants in that line.

The mill should be placed, if possible, a little higher than the boilers, in order that the juice may be conveyed thither in a spout, thereby saving much labour.

Method of Evaporating, Clarifying Agents.-Of all the boilers yet in use, I unhesitatingly prefer Cook's evaporator. I do not believe that quite so beautiful an article of syrup can be made with it as with the common pan and kettle; yet as I bought mine last fall when the cane was dead ripe, and going down hill, I cannot vouch with much certainty as to that. This much I do know (and "what I know I know, I know") that an article can be made with it, which sold here faster than it could be manufactured at 50 cents per gallon, wholesale, and pronounced by all who used it fully equal to golden syrup; and even after the cane was badly frost-bitten the syrup outsold the best plantation molasses. But still my premium syrup (I took the first in our county, and ditto in Macoupin county, over fourteen competitors) was made in a twenty-gallon iron kettle on the old plan. I don't desire any better. I also made my sugar in the same utensil. The chief advantages of the evaporator are two-viz., first, the rapidity with which evaporation is carried on. Forty gallons of syrup are easily made per day with No. 2, if good, dry wood is used. Wood should be provided this winter by all who contemplate using that machine next fall. Secondly, the removal of any necessity for using clarifying agents; the heat and skimmer completely clarify the juice. This machine is liable to one objection-it requires considerable skill to use it successfully. Of five within my knowledge but one was run according to the design of the inventor. Three were used by plugging up the outlet for the escape of the syrup, and boiling as in common sheet-iron pans; a fourth required two men to skim and one to stand at the last channel, ladle in hand, to keep the syrup in continual motion so as to prevent burning; the fifth (belonging to your humble servant) seemed likely to meet the same fate for a day or two, but finally succeeded in managing it, so that one hand could bring sap, fire up, and skim, with perfect ease. The directions seem to us Egyptians quite obscure. One experienced hand can show a tyro more in twenty minutes than he can learn by himself in a week, or even a month. I would strongly advise any who intend buying to secure the instruction of some one who has successfully used the machine. The number of evaporators may be increased as the size of the crusher demands.

If pans are used, make them of galvanised sheet-iron, from 7 feet to 10 feet long. Turn up the sides and ends of the sheets about 2 inches, and finish by nailing them to a solid plank 10 inches high, so as to form an oblong water-tight box with iron bottom. As many as you wish may be set in furnaces, the horizontal flues of which should meet in one perpendicular chimney. I hardly need state that the whole syrup-boiling apparatus should be enclosed so as to be protected from the weather. Even the wind alone retards greatly the evaporation. The juice should be clarified in these, and afterwards boiled down until nearly done, when it should be removed, and the operation slowly finished in a cast-iron kettle. Not that I think cast-iron ones preferable to any other metal. A silver one would doubtless be better; but as such would be considered somewhat extravagant, I presume we must be content for a while with the humbler metal. The reason I prefer to finish in a kettle is this: When the syrup is completely done, it can be ladled out without the risk of scorching, which is so imminent in using the thin, flat pan.

pations indulged in by the community in respect to this branch of the business, but few have succeeded in securing crystalisation. And those who did succeed, seemed to have done so more by aceident than by the application of any rule or principle. Mr. Cook states that he made 400 pounds during the fall of 1859 and intended to make a ton the next season. Whether said ton has forthcome I do not know. Does anybody? Whatever he has done, the vast majority have utterly failed in their attempts. Yet the sugar is there, and can't we get it out? Let me give my experience, and some of the causes which I believe produce these failures.

1st. Too little attention has been paid to the period in which the juice is in its greatest perfection; this lasts but about four or five days, from the time the seed is fully in the dough until it is nearly ripe, as I have before stated. The time may extend until the full maturity of the seed, but such has not been my experience.

2nd. Cutting the cane too long before using. To insure granulation it should be made up the very day it is cut. Moreover, the juice should be boiled down as soon as expressed. In the south they do not allow twenty minutes to elapse, if they can help it, until the cane is in the boiling-pans.

3rd. Using too much of the upper part of stalk. At least four joints should be rejected, as the saccharine matter is quite feeble, and there seems to be an acid existing, which, if allowed to mingle with the juice of the lower portion, destroys the power of crystalisation.

The specimens made by myself were manipulated with reference to all these points, and granulation followed every attempt. The experiments were necessarily conducted on a small scale, as I did not wish to incur any risk by branching out until satisfied of meeting with uninterrupted success. I am so well convinced by the results, that I shall prepare a sugar-room the coming season for more extended operations. The syrup when intended for graining should be boiled down until it reaches a temperature of 228° or 230° Fahr. Steam makes an excellent thermometer. When it escapes in little puffs as in boiling mush, the syrup is ready for cooling, which should be done immediately by pouring it into shallow pans, and stirring it until it cools somewhat. It should not lie more than 1 inch or 2 inches deep. If it is a successful boil it will begin to grain in a day or two. After a week it must be drained, which is done most easily by hanging it up in very porous bags, made of loose cotton cloth.

It is refined just as maple sugar, or that from the south is treated. Believing we had better catch the fish before we eat them, I shall not consume your time and patience by entering into that department of the business at present. When we successfully produce the raw sugar, there will be plenty of time to discuss this question.

Profits. These vary from 50 dols. minus per acre, to 100 dols. plus, just as the business is managed. One large mill in an adjoining county broke up its owners; twenty-five acres of cane remained uncut in their field, and the quality of syrup was so poor that they could not sell it until it was refined. While others on a small scale realised quite a per cent. on the outlay and labour. The result of my own was about thus :When the mill ran steadily without breaking, the nett profits were 8,00 dols. per day of ten hours. But as I have before mentioned, it was exceedingly poor, so that by constant delay and having hired help whose wages were running on, working or idle, I realised much less than I ought. I shall look out for such things hereafter, and have a mill on which I can depend. I paid 115 dols. for Cook's Evaporator, and a Douglas mill, including the freight (evaporator 47,56 dols. including freight, Clarifying Agents. Of these there are several. Lime watermill 68 dols. including ditto), you can easily calculate the profits made from fresh lime is about as good as any. Our finest syrup on the investment had there been no time lost. The season was cleared with some refuse saleratus which had been thrown ought to commence on the 1st of September at least, and continue away by a merchant here as worthless. It did not injure the for two months, or even longer if the cane is properly taken colour in the least. Carbonate of soda answers very well, but care of. colours the syrup somewhat. Sugar of lead is a splendid clarifier but its poisonous qualities render it unsafe to use. The best purifiers, however, as remarked before, are rapid boiling and the skimmer. And it is by bringing these two agents into easy play that Cook's Evaporator stands pre-eminent. Whatever clarifiers are used their application should be continued until almost the last moment of boiling. I found that a small quantity from time to time thrown in even after the syrup began to thicken would throw up a white wax. I would like to remark, that perfect cleanliness is no injury in any stage of the operation. Manufacture of Sugar.-Notwithstanding the glorious antici

I do not think, however, that large expenditures will pay so well. We do not know enough about the business as yet to render it safe to invest to any great amount. Still I most sincerely hope that all such may prove successful another year, and that the enterprise manifested by their proprietors may not go unrewarded. That we can supply our own State with syrup, and sugar too, I have no doubt whatever. All we need is more experience. Should I discover any improvement in the business, no matter how small, I will be sure to add the discovery to the stock of knowledge which the community now possess.

I would remark here, although not in its proper place, that

ARRANGING FLOWERS IN BOUQUETS AND VASES. (Continued from page 212.)

VASES FOR THE DINNER TABLE.