80 THE FLORIST AND 
Buds tlius managed, frequently make an enormous growth the first season, 
and require constant attention and securing, to prevent destruction from 
"winds. 
Thrifty, -well formed and prolific trees of considerable size can be seen in 
my grounds, on which all these methods have been employed, to change 
their varieties. 
It may be well to add, that long continued cold, dry and windy weather 
in April and May, has proved the most serious impediment to my attempts 
at cherry grafting. It is equally injurious to the health and growth of the 
developing innoculations which were inserted the previous season. 
In frosty localities, late vernal frosts occasionally destroy young grafts 
and innoculations ; and also the stocks, but this is a contingency which 
rarely occurs on the south shore of Lake Erie. 
Cleveland, Ohio, February 22c?, 1855. 
To THE Editor of the Florist : 
Sir : In the last number of the Florist, is an article from the G-ardeners' 
Chronicle, which I am not sure that I exactly understand. It is concerning 
"A new Sugar Cane." We are told, "a novelty has this year appeared, in 
the form of a tall, reedy grass, called Holcus saccharatus, of whose econo- 
mical value we find that great expectations are entertained." It is then 
stated that this "Chinese Sugar Cane," (as it is also called,) yields Sugar 
copiously, — much more than the Beet, &c. Now, what I want to know, is, 
the real character of this '^^ novelty." If it is the Holcus saccharatus, of 
Linnaeus — the Sorghum saccharatum, of Persoon, I do not understand why 
it is regarded as a "novelty." Everybody, in this country, is familiar 
with the plant, under the name of "Broom Corn;" and it has long been 
cultivated, (in some places very extensively,) for the purpose of making 
brooms, whisks, and clothes brushes. The books tell us, it has been culti- 
vated, in Italy, as a substitute for the Sugar Cane. But I strongly suspect 
it is inferior in value, for that object, to the Indian Corn, of our country. 
Yet, whatever its value may be, it has no claim to be styled a "novelty." 
If it is not the Holcus saccharatus, of Linnaeus, it has no right to that old 
established name; but must be called something else. The question then 
recurs, what is it f The answer must be left to you, and the Gardeners' 
Chronicle ; and, for me, I shall be glad to learn its true character. Those 
