THE CHINESE SUGAR-CANE. 99 



of this new plant. Col. Peters is therefore entitled to great 

 credit for the exposition of this article in this public manner, 

 and also for the detailed statements which he gave of his 

 method of cultivation, manufacture, and the result of his 

 operations. I was happy to learn, on my return home, that 

 yourself and others had been equally successful with that 

 gentleman, and that it is your intention to give the subject 

 further investigation. This cane has been grown during the 

 past season with as much success in the Eastern and Western 

 States as in Georgia and the extreme South, and presents to 

 our farmers the prospect of producing their sugar and molas- 

 ses as easily as almost any other crop. It is capable of being 

 cultivated wherever Indian corn will succeed, and, of course, 

 to the same extent, and to a much greater profit. Col. Peters 

 writes me that he shall plant one hundred acres next year ; 

 others are proposing to plant largely. If it can be manufac- 

 tured into sugar, or molasses, of which there seems to be no 

 reasonable doubt, it is impossible to predict the importance 

 of this crop to American agriculturists, or to the country at 

 large. Go on, my dear sir ! You are on the right track. 

 This is not the only species of the imphees, or sugar-cane, to 

 be brought to notice. There are other varieties in Caffraria 

 and Algeria, which are said to be very superior ; and it is to 

 be hoped that the vessel which has recently been sent out by 

 the government of the United States will not return without 

 bringing a supply of these plants, or the seed of them, so as 

 to place at an early day before our yeomanry all the informa- 

 tion that can be obtained on this most interesting subject. 



Yours, with great respect, 

 Marshall P. Wilder. 



The following letter from Gov. Gardner will bo 

 read with interest. 

 9^ 



