The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-02-21
Two Crops of Rice i n one Season.
CONSULATE UNITED STATES, EoYrT,
Alexandria, Oct. Is, 1854.

Dear Sir: Knowing the deep interest
which you feel in all scientific or agricul-
al discoveries, l send you the letter Of
Signor Lattis, which accompanies this,
and to which it is only necessary that l
should add few lines of explanation.
Having heard some very remarkable
statements in connection with experiments
in rice culture made by that gentlemen
in the immediate vicinity of Alexandria,
was induced to make in9iries in relation
TO the matter, and finally to satisfy my
self by personal inspection of the fields
under his management.
The result Of those inquiries and that
inspection has been the conviction that
great discovery has been made by Sig
nor Lattis, through which he is enabled
to produce two crops of rice in five mo nths
CO s"c s"nio ocru, and an increase On
the usual yield of at leas, thirty per cent.
Whether this arises from some chemi
cal preparation Of the seed, or from his
peculiar treatment Of the plant, is his Sc.
rret. incline to thr former opinion
But the facts are authenticated by wit.
nesses of the most irreproachable charac-
ter, and the experiments have been made
on the land and under the eve Of Musta
pha Pacha, one Of the royal familv, who
was educated in Paris, and is man Of
shrewdness and Intelligence.
Offers have been made for monopoly
Of his secret here /; but Signor Latis, who
is political refugee and u gentleman of
high scientific attainments, prefers extern
ding the benefits OF his discovery, and is
especially anxious that the United States
should share its benefits. In reply to a
note addressed to him by me OIL the sub
ject. he wrote the letter send you, de-
claring his readiness 10 submit the dis
covery to the test Of experiment in the
United States, should encouragement be
given him through me by the Southern
pl tnters.
My long acquaintance with you, and
your labors in the sa re field. have indu,
ed me to make you the medium of CON-
hunlcation with our mutual friends in
tue South, and l therefore request that
you will give publicity to the discovery
through the Southern papers, and favor
me with your own views on the subie I
at your earliest convenience.
can assure you that there is no hun. .
bug in this matter, as you know am not
very credulous person, and have not
embraced it without examination.
The English Consul General here is ve
ry ANXIOUS to secure the secret for India.
The d'scoverer thinks it may succeed with
cotton also.
Signor Lattis is not mere adventurer.
lie is gentleman of high reputation-a
Venetian-who has devoted his life TO ap-
ricultural and scientific pursuits, and has
still che wreck Of very largo fortune,
which the Italian revolutions found him
the hereditary possessor Of
lie drained the great Harlem lake, and
was connected with other public improve
ments in Holland, and enjoys the high
respect Of the best portion Of this CON-
munity.
therefore commend this matter 70
your serious attention, as | believe II NAV
greatly rebound to the interest of our be.
loved ,nother--south Carolina.
With sentiments Of the highest regard
remain, yours truly,
EDWIN DELE0N.
To DR. r. w. CiIBBEs, Columbia, y. @
j Alexandria, Egypt, Oct Is, 1854.
E DeIeon, Esq, Consul Generai
Sir: You have done. mo tho bonor Z
request the communicated of some dc
tails upon ths adyaatags. rssalsiaR itou