CH ALP? +11. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT. 
CONFUSION AMONG AGRICULTURAL WRITERS. 
In proceeding to consider the botanical rank of the 
Chinese Sugar Cane, we find ourselves at once involved 
in the midst of conflicting assumptions on the part of 
various investigators. So much confusion has arisen in 
regard to the plant, that M. Grcenland, an associate of 
M. Vilmorin, has endeavored to extricate us from this 
confusion, and is at the present time engaged in the pro- 
duction of an agricultural work, which will set the mat- 
ter at rest; in the mean time, from the testimony of all 
observers, we are authorized to accord to the plant the 
name Hfoleus saccharatus. Although, as M. Vilmorin | 
says, 1t is inexact as to its generic character, yet it has 
the advantage of being known, and of not having been 
applied to other plants. Our seedsmen and agricultural 
writers seem bent upon not only maintaining this confu- 
sion of names, but also of increasing the list of synonyms, 
by giving to the Sorgho sucré in turn the names of half a 
dozen other plants. We must expect this, however; 
but in the meanwhile, and until. the result of M. Grcen- 
land’s labors are known, we are probably authorized to 
call it the Holcus saccharatus.* 
* Since writing the above, we have received from Dr. Charles T: 
Jackson, one of the State Assayers to the State of Massachusetts, the 
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