RESOLUTIONS OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON COLONIAL INDUSTRIES..II

a.—No.

11

and to get rid of the objectionable element is said to be easy with the improved processes. Some Sorghum sugar is not of good colour. Mr. Blymyer says that in Illinois and the neighbouring States, all attempts to grow beet profitably have been " dead failures," because of the cost and the expense involved in the culture. But he also says that no fairly-conducted experiment with any kind of the Sorgo has been other than profitable in the States named. During the last ten years 30,000 of the Cook Evaporator and the Victor Mill have been sold by the firm or firms with which Mr. Blymyer is connected ; the sale price amounting to 3,000,000 dollars. As the growers of Sorghum so largely consume the products, no reliable estimate of tho quantities of Sorghum syrup and sugar at present produced can be given ; but Mr. Blymyer says that the culture of the plant is very general indeed. At the establishment of Messrs. Hovey and Co., I was told that last year enough of Sorghum could not be obtained to meet tho demands for seed ; the sort next in favour being the Imphee. It is claimed that syrup from the Sorgo is not only as pleasant to the taste as any Southern cane syrup, but that it is much more heathful as an article of ordinary household use. A general catalogue of implements by Messrs. Blymyer, Norton, and Co., is with the printed papers. AVould any of the " Power " machines be of value in New Zealand agricultural districts ? Bth March, 1871. J. Vogel.

No. 18. Memorandum on the Hon. J. Vogel's Report (Sorghum), by Dr. Hector. I forward for Mr. Gisborne's information, a report received by last mail from Mr. Vogel on the subject of the introduction of the manufacture of Sugar from Sorghum into this Colony, together with enclosed printed documents. Mr. Vogel wishes to be informed by a letter to meet him in the United States, whether Government are disposed to empower him to do anything towards effecting the introduction of this manufacture. Sorghum is extensively grown in Queensland for the manufacture of sugar, and grows freely in the northern part of New Zealand ; but whether it has in this Colony valuable sugar-producing qualities has not been determined, so far as I am aware. I would recommend that Mr. Vogel should procure say a few bushels of the best quality of seed for distribution to settlers in the districts of Kaipara, Tauranga, and AVaikato, so that this question of the growth of the plant might be solved practically. I observe from the printed reports that the quality of the seed is a point of very material importance to the successful production of sugar from this plant. This should be impressed on Mr. Vogel as an important element in tho success of the experiment. For the present I do not think it advisable that any expensive machinery for crushing and refining should be introduced at Government expense. 23rd May, 1871. James Hector.

No. 19. The Hon. W. Gisborne to the Hon. J. Vogel. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, AVellington, 31st May, 1871. Dr. Hector has handed to the Government a Memorandum from you upon tho subject of the cultivation of Sorghum and the manufacture of sugar and syrup therefrom, together with a number of printed agricultural papers and price catalogues, which you were kind enough to procure for the benefit of the Colony. It is unnecessary that I should offer you the thanks of your colleagues for the trouble you have taken, or for this additional proof of your interest in everything that may tend to further the prosperity of New Zealand. You will hear from Dr. Hector by the mail which brings you this letter of the delay in the delivery of your packet to him, by which he was prevented from communicating with you by return of the "Nevada." Should this letter reach you in time, we should be very much obliged if you would procure a few bushels of seed of the best kinds of Sorghum for distribution to settlers in the districts of Kaipara, Tauranga, and Waikato, where it is believed that the question of tho value of its sugar-producing qualities in this country can best be tested. The quality of the seed appears, from the papers sent by you, to be a point of very material importance to the successful production of sugar from this plant, and it will be well to bear this in mind in procuring the seed. It will not be worth while for the present to incur the expense of purchasing crushing and refining machinery, until the question of the adaptability of the soil and climate of New Zealand to its growth shall have been further experimented upon. The Hon. J. Vogel. W. Gisborne.

No. 20. Memorandum by Mr. Krull. I have been for some time engaged in the interesting study of the culture of the beet plant in Germany, and the manufacture of sugar from the saccharine contained in the root. lam astonished at the rapid