America's Crop Heritage


the cultivation of sugar cane in the United States. At that time
the trip was unique because the Release was the first American
naval vessel sent out on a purely agricultural mission.
 Lieutenant C. C. Simms was placed in charge of the Release,
with Townend Glover of the Patent Office heading the agri-
cultural activities. These instructions for the voyage, from the
Commissioner of Patents, form an accurate description of the
expedition's work.

 . you have been selected to go to South America to procure a fresh supply
of the Cuttings of the Sugar Cane for . experiment in our Southern States ....
 The United States Brigg "Release" has been fitted out by the Navy Depart-
ment . .you will please repair on board, forthwith, providing yourself with the
necessary provisions for your support, for two months to be paid for out of your
regular salary.
 You will receive . adequate means and personal directions for the procure-
ment, packing, transportation, and delivery of the Canes . you are requested
to proceed in the "Release," with all possible dispatch to the port of Georgetown
in Demarara, and procure as many cuttings of the most healthy and hardy varieties
of the Sugar Cane which grow in that region, as can be safely packed in the
boxes provided for that purpose, and cause them to be compactly stowed, below
deck, in said vessel, which will then proceed to the port of La Guayra, in Venezuela.
 You will next proceed to the most elevated regions of Caracas, where the Sugar
Cane is successfully grown and obtain as many bundles of Cane Cuttings as can
be safely stowed in any place which may be unoccupied in said vessel, and then
proceed directly to New Orleans, where you will receive further orders.
 Should you find it convenient to procure any valuable seeds which would be
likely to thrive in any part of the United States you are hereby authorized to
purchase a small quantity of each kind for experiment from the funds which
will be placed in your hands by Mr. Browne.

 On February 7, 1857, The New Orleans Picayune reported the
Release had arrived ". .with over 1,000 boxes of cane cuttings,
plantain, banana, eddo and other plants including buck yam roots.
The cuttings had been made with a great deal of care, and several
planters who examined those not in boxes, expressed themselves
highly pleased ...."
 Cane Borers Imported-Great benefits were expected to accrue
to the sugar interests. But several days later, the cane cuttings were
found to be badly infested with the cane borer. One planter who
inspected the cuttings thought only one box in six of any value.
But he took some home which he intended to plant at a distance
from other canes to prevent infestation! The Plaquemine Sentinel
reported this planter brought them a piece of the cane through
which the borer had made a perfect road or tunnel. Some judged
the enterprise a failure and said it was "worse than that if it intro-