584 ^^^^ Chinese Stigar-Cane. [December, 



From onr first acquaintance with the Chinese Sugar-Cane, we 

 were most favorably impressed with its merits, and at once predicted 

 its value to American agriculture. From that time we have aimed 

 to collect all the facts derived from the experience of those interest- 

 ed in the culture of this interesting plant ; and in our August num- 

 ber we published the experiments of Mr. Orth, of Indiana, and of 

 Dr. Bay, of Long Island, in relation to the culture and merits of 

 this Asiatic plant now seeking for naturalization in America. Spec- 

 imens of this Sugar-Cane have been frequently exhibited in Cincin- 

 nati, as the producte of the gardens in the vicinity of the city ; and 

 the Horticultural Society has repeatedly given it prominence in 

 their exhibitions. But its merits have not yet, by any means, as we 

 think, been considered and appreciated, even by our most intelli- 

 gent agriculturists ; and, when placed on exhibition, it has been re- 

 garded merely as a quiet and reserved indorsement, more than as a 

 hearty commendation of its rare qualities, and valuable adaptations 

 to our domestic culture. 



The specimens exhibited, as grown in our vicinity, on both sides 

 of the river — in Ohio and Kentucky — have presented the most grat- 

 ifying demonstrations of a most perfect and vigorous development 

 of the plant, even to the full ripening of the seed — all showing its 

 complete and ready adaptation to the soil and climate of this region. 

 The successful experience of Mr. Orth and Dr. Bay, above re- 

 ferred to, go to show most conclusively, that in localities both inland 

 and coastwise, and in a latitude as high as 42° north — which would 

 embrace northern Illinois, Michigan and New York — its adaptations 

 to soil and climate would remain -unimpaired. From all the mani- 

 festations of its character, which have thus fir come to our knowl- 

 edge, it would seem, indeed, that its adaptations to the diversified 

 conditions of soil and climate, are as ample as is the Indian corn, 

 which flourishes throughout all the regions of this continent, from 

 the Lake of the ^Yoods to the Gulf of Mexico. 



This new and immigrant plant, commends itself to our friendly 

 notice, under three difierent aspects of utility : — as a seed-bearer, as 

 a forage crop, and as a sugar-yielder. 



The seed of this plant is developed in a manner similar to that 



