ORIGIN AND HISTORY. “19 
ascertained from Messrs. Parker, White, & Gannett, 
seedsmen, of Boston, that the editors of the “‘ New Or- 
leans Bee” had received samples of sugar from Professor 
Avequin, of Louisiana, I opened a correspondence 
with that distinguished gentleman, and received from 
him the editorial notice of the ‘Bee,’ and an article, 
written by himself, for that paper, which I translated, 
and which will be found in subsequent pages of this 
work. The editors of the “Bee” clearly acknowledge 
the receipt of a loaf of sorgho sugar made by Professor 
Avequin; and I regret much at not having been able, 
during the past two years, to have communicated with 
this gentleman, and thus have been enabled to place my 
readers in possession of all the facts concerning his ex- 
periments. 
HOW THE PATENT OFFICE SEEDS SHOULD BE USED. 
We have thus narrowed down the circle of our in- 
quiries to the introduction of the plant, and its domes- 
tication among us. Inconsidering the slight contingency 
upon which hung the chance of its having been put in the 
possession of the French agriculturists, it seems to me a 
useful lesson may be derived to guide us in our practice at 
home. Although the General Government makes but very 
shght appropriations to the cause of agriculture, barely 
begrudging a miserable pittance out of the superfluous 
revenues which it has collected, yet it does appropriate a 
sum, however small it may be, for the purchase of seeds and 
cuttings for distribution to our farmers, and every year 
this service is performed by the department of the Patent 
