Sorghum

sor'gum, a sort of cane, closely related to broom corn. It is a member of the corn or grass family. The American varieties are from China or Africa. In the North sorghum is not infrequently called "sugar-cane," which it resembles in growth, stalk, and leaves. Sorghum, however, bears a fine pyramidal panicle of rich seed; sugarcane has none. It is raised extensively in some localities for sorghum molasses. The cane is stripped (deprived of leaves), cut, and topped, care being taken to keep the fresh, bleeding ends out of the dirt. It is put through a roller press not unlike a laundry clothes press in principle. The sap is caught in a trough and is conveyed to a series of vats where it is cleared and evaporated to the desired thickness. Fresh sorghum, especially of the variety known as amber, is an acceptable addition to table fare. Sorghum is an annual raised from seed. Cut young it makes excellent forage. See Sugar-Cane; Broom Corn; Kaffir Corn