vl PREFACE. 
culturists. Having discovered an entirely new method, and the only 
practicable one, of making crystallized sugar from the juice of the im- 
phee, or African sorgho, he patented his process in Europe, and came 
to this country with the same object in view, and has recently obtained 
his letters patent from the Government Office at Washington. To 
Mr. Wray I am indebted for the very interesting treatise* upon the 
imphee, which will be found in the body of this work, as also for the 
letters and historical matter, which will be found accredited to him at 
the proper place. 
The success of the plant being no longer problematical then, there 
is immediately created a demand for some critical work upon its origin, 
culture, and uses; and to carry on its varied phases of manufacture 
will call into activity a large amount of capital and industry that has 
heretofore been diverted in other channels. With no hope of com- 
pletely filling the existing hiatus, but as having arranged all the avail- 
able materials to be found in our own, or French publications, this 
volume is offered to the public. The basis of it is derived from a 
lecture, written by myself, at the request of a distinguished friend, and 
delivered, on invitation, at agricultural meetings of the Legislatures of 
Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio, during the past winter. The 
flattering reception which it met, and the paucity of information as 
yet made public in this country, suggested the idea thaf, perhaps, if 
enlarged and illustrated with appropriate engravings, it might be of 
value in the present stage of our experience. 
In the Appendix will be found copious extracts, translated from 
French pamphlets, which were placed at my disposal by Messrs. 
Hedges, Free, & Co., of Cincinnati and Philadelphia ; and, accompany- 
ing them, the interesting correspondence between their house and the 
* This treatise was prinied, for private circulation, in London, 1864. 
