264 ~ Botany. 
useful. It seems to be adapted to this purpose, on account 
of its beauty, the rapidity of its growth and the fine sugar it 
affo 
ffords. 
Although the idea of Dr. Rush, that the United States 
might be more than supplied with sugar from the maple, and 
the quantity of human suffering consequently diminished, 
by rendering the employment of slaves in the West-Indies 
unnecessary, seems not likely to be realized, yet I think 
the cultivation of the maple ought not to be overlooked, es- 
pecially as it might afford some supply in case the importa- 
tion of sugar should, at any time, be interrupted by political 
disturbances. . 
‘The river maple would thrive best no doubt in a situation 
similar to that which it occupies in its native state, i. e. on 
the flats of clear streams. That it will grow however im 
other situations seems to be confirmed by the following 
facts. Micheaux states that “ in Europe it is multiplied in 
nurseries and gardens. Its rapid growth affords hopes ot 
cultivating it with profit in this quarter of the world.” 
Mr. Cook, Preceptor of Fryeburg Academy, informed me 
that he planted some of the seeds in his garden, which is on 
a dry elevated sandy plain, and raised trees from them, 
which grew so rapidly, and monopolized so much ground, 
that he found it necessary ina few years, to extirpate them. 
Boston, Apri 20. 
* : 
Arr. XI. On the Oriental Chené, and the Oil which it af- 
fords. 
Rocxy-sroox, 9th mo. 13th, 1820. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &C- 
I am induced to enquire of readers, and correspondents; 
to thy valuable miscellany, whether the Oriental Chené 
might not be more extensively cultivated in the United 
States for the purpose of extracting its invaluable oil? It 
is a species of sesamum, (class dydinamia, order angiospet- 
mia of Linneus, Sesamum folius ovato oblongis integris of 
Miller—Digitalis orientalis, sesamum dicta—Tournefort,) 
and is thus described by Miller :—“ This plant was intro- 
