98 THE CHINESE SUGAR-CANE. 



it that it is not in the power of any one to give 

 accurate rules for its cultivation, treatment, &c., 

 or to speak positively of its properties and merits. 

 I have given briefly some rules in regard to its 

 culture, &c., but they must necessarily be imper- 

 fect, as they are founded only on my own experi- 

 ence of one year, with what I have obtained from 

 others who have grown it during the past season. 

 I have not intended to over-color the remarks I 

 have made ; and in the selections I have given 

 both sides are shown, — the dark as well as the 

 bright. I have been able to obtain letters from 

 distinguished gentlemen, fully competent to speak 

 on this subject, and who have had some experi- 

 ence. Their opinions, you will agree with me, 

 are entitled to great weight in this matter. 



LETTER OF HON. MARSHALL P. WILDER, PRESIDENT OF THE 

 UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I)oi.:hesiery Dec. 19//i, 1856. 

 J. F. C. Hyde, Esq. 



Dear Sir : Your favor, requesting a word from me in 



relation to the New Chinese Cane {Sorghum saccharatum), the 



product of which was exhibited at the late show of the United 



States Agricultural Society, is received. Several samples 



of sjrup made from this cane were presented by Col. Peters, 



of Georgia ; and, in my judgment, it was one of the most 



important articles on exhibition, connected with agriculture. 



No subject has excited more deep and universal interest 



throughout the coui\,try, for many years, than the introduction 



