THE CHINESE SUGAR-CANE. 103 



that a gentleman of your perseverance and intelligence is 

 determined to aid in accomplishing this end. Count me not 

 only as your well-wisher, but pecuniary aider, if necessary ; 

 and I earnestly hope success may crown your efforts. 



I omitted to say the specimen of molasses of your own 

 growth and mamifacture from this cane duly reached me. It 

 tastes deliciously, and looks promising, realizing the proverb 

 that " the product of one's own labor is sweet." 



Should any facts in this note be of service to you, please 

 make what use you please of them, and believe me 



Very truly yours, 



Henry J. Gardner. 



FROM CHARLES L. FLINT, ESQ., SECRETARY OF THE MASSACHU- 

 SETTS BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



State-House, Boston, Dec. 22d, 1856. 

 Dear Sir : 



I have had opportunities of various kinds to learn some- 

 thing of the success which has attended the culture of tho 

 Chinese Sugar-cane, and am happy to hear that you are pre- 

 paring a treatise upon it which will embrace, no doubt, all 

 that is at present known among us of its natural history, its 

 comparative value, and the best modes of cultivating it. Such 

 a work, I am sure, is greatly needed as a guide for our exper- 

 iments in the introduction of a plant new, at least, to us, and 

 which promises to prove so valuable. Many a new plant and 

 many a new implement of husbandry is thrown aside after a 

 feeble effort, when a little knowledge of its uses and value on 

 the part of the experimenter would have led to an entirely 

 different, and, perhaps, perfectly successful result. The man- 

 ual which you contemplate will, therefore, come just in season. 



To say of this plant that it will vrork an entire revolution 

 in the great sugar interest of this country, would, perhaps, be 

 premature ; but the fact that it has sprung into general notice 



