much shorter than the flowers, which are somewhat distant from each other; both palets are strongly fringed, the lower one 2 cleft at the sam mit, with its mid-rib extended into a short awn.

This grass apparently has little practical value.

ARISTIDA PURPUREA-Purple Awned grass.

There are many species of this genus, most of which grow in dry sandy or barren soils, and are of little or no agricultural value.

The species which we figure, Aristida purpurea, is one which grows west of the Mississippi River, and is common and in many places abundant on the plains of Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas.

It is an annual grass, 1 to 3 feet high, with slender culms, much branched from the base, and short, involuté leaves. The panicle is 6 to 8 inches long, rather narrow, and when in flower having a graceful, plume-like look from the spreading of the long purple awns or beards of the flower. The spikelets are 1-flowered. The glumes are unequal, the upper one being about inch long, the lower two-thirds as long, and both very narrow with long tapering points. The lower palet is narrow and involute or rolled together around the upper palet and the grain or seed, and running out at the apex into three slender, diverging, nearly equal awns or beards, from 1 to 2 inches long.

Where this grass is abundant it furnishes an inferior grazing, but by enriching the soil its place can be supplied with much more valuable kinds. (See Plate XXV.)

Respectfully submitted."

Hon. WM. G. LE DUC,

Commissioner of Agriculture.

GEO. VASEY, Botanist.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GARDENS AND GROUNDS.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report in connection with the operations of this division.

The distributions for the year have aggregated to the number of one hundred and ninety-five thousand plants of various kinds, but almost wholly of those having economic value, as the olive, Japan persimmon, tea, coffee, cinchona, orange, lemon, fig, grape, strawberry, &c. Fully teven-eighths of these plants were distributed by mail, involving much labor in their preparation for this mode of transportation.

Estimating these plants at the very low price of 5 cents each, they would represent a money value of $9,750, a sum considerably above the amount of the appropriation allowed for labor for propagating, and for keeping the gardens and grounds of the Department in order, which includes 25,000 square feet of glass structures well stocked with plants and 40 acres of ground, much of it kept as lawn and flower-garden, with numerous walks and drives, together with collections of grapes, strawberries, and other hardy fruiting plants, all of which require muchí labor and attention for ordinary care and keeping.

But little has been added to the arboretum collection during the past year. The proximity of the grounds to the city, and their almost unprotected condition, render it a difficult matter to maintain the labels

on the trees and shrubs. A proper substantial fence is greatly needed to inclose the grounds and insure greater certainty in the results from propagating operations. When unprotected from depredators, no absolute certainty can be guaranteed in preserving the nomenclature of the plants in the cutting-beds, in consequence of the liability of the labels being displaced beyond the possibility of accurate readjustment.

FIGS.

In the ordinary winters here, fig trees are killed to the ground even when the young wood has been as perfectly matured as the climate will admit. The branches can be preserved by bending them down and protecting them by a covering of soil. But occasionally early frosts will destroy the foliage and arrest growth before the wood has become matured; in this condition covering is of but little avail. Towards the end of October of the present year the thermometer indicated 18 degrees of frost, which amount of cold had the effect of destroying the yearly growths on all the varieties in the collection, and in the case of young plants killed them completely. To guard against such casualties in future, and to insure a supply of cuttings for distribution, a glazed structure has been assigned to the growth of a small but select collection of varieties of the fig. The house is single-roofed, and the plants are trained against the wall. The object here being more for the purpose of procuring shoots for cuttings than that of procuring quantities of fruit, the border for the roots is kept well enriched so as to encourage a luxuriant growth of wood, the ripening of which can be secured by withholding water from the border as winter approaches.

In northern localities where the fig will not endure the winter unprotected, it will be found profitable to cultivate them under glass. The care of a fig house is much less than that required for a cold grapery, and the crop quite as certain and more valuable to those who fully appreciate the value of fresh figs. With a judicious selection of varieties the plants would bear continuously during summer; each plant ripening two crops of perfect fruit would afford a daily supply for many months. The soil for fruiting figs should not be made rich; a gravelly or sandy loam, rather poor than otherwise, will produce the best results. A rich soil encourages a heavy wood-growth at the expense of the crop of fruit.

FOREIGN GRAPES.

A large collection of foreign grapes is cultivated in the grape house, mainly for the purpose of furnishing wood for propagating plants. The young plants are distributed principally in Florida and Texas, in which States some of the varieties are said to succeed in the open air quite as well as they do in California.

A brief description of some of the more recently introduced varieties is herewith given:

Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat.-This grape is represented as a late fruit of much merit, and keeping a long time after being ripe. After fruiting it for several years, it proves to be of but little value. The berries set very irregularly, and in consequence the bunches are imperfect. It is only medium in point of flavor, and is not distinguished for keepingqualities after ripening.

Mandersfield Court.-A free-growing, prolific variety. The fruit is juicy and not high flavored. The berries are liable to crack open and decompose as they ripen, unless the soil is quite dry. It is not of particular value.

Primais Frontignan.-The flavor of this variety is fully equal to that of the better known White Frontignan. It is a remarkably prolific wa riety, and is an acquisition among free-growing high-flavored grapes.

Muscat Hamburg.-This variety is considered to be the same as the Black Muscat. Comparing the two varieties as they grow side by side they closely resemble each other. The Black Muscat appears to have better-colored and more compact bunches. This is one of the best flavored black grapes in the list, and when well grown produces very fine bunches.

Foster's White Seedling.-A very productive early grape of the Streetwater class. It is not high flavored, and is no improvement upon older varieties. It is, however, admirably adapted for pot-culture, being a great bearer, and of very moderate growth.

Dutchess of Baccleuch.-A free-growing and productive plant, producing long tapering bunches with small white berries. It is a pleasantflavored fruit, but does not come up to description as possessing exquisite flavor.

Early Smyrna.-An abundant bearer, of the Sweetwater class of grapes; fruit of sweet, spicy flavor.

Royal Ascot. This grape promises to be a desirable acquisition to the cold grapery. It produces a medium-sized bunch, the berries large, solid, crisp, and well flavored.

Trentham Black.--A very prolific variety. The bunches are of medium size, resembling those of the Hamburg Muscat; the berries juicy and sweet, but not highly flavored.

Ingraham's Prolific.-A small, early, black grape, sweet and full of a brisk spicy juice, not worthy of place in a house, but promising as a good grape for some portions of the Southern States.

Napoleon Muscadine.-A free-growing, prolific vine; fruit resembles that of the Royal Muscudine, but much more distinct in flavor than that old variety. It possesses all the characteristics of a good table grape. Reeve's Muscadine. This is an early variety of the Sweetwater class, very productive, and of fine flavor.

Lady Downes.-This is a valuable, late-keeping grape. It suceeeds very well in a cold grapery, but requires a cool night temperature when the seeds are forming, otherwise the berries become scalded, turn black, and decay quite rapidly. It is late to ripen or color, and cannot be managed properly unless the grapery is provided with a heating apparatus of some kind. With proper care the fruit can be kept hanging on the vine until March and April. The fruit is not of the highest flavor, and beyond its remarkable keeping qualities has no particular merit.

White Lady Downes.-Resembles the last in all respects except in color; it is the best-keeping white grape in cultivation.

Muscat St. Laurent.-A very prolific variety; bunches long, tapering, and slightly shouldered; a tender-fleshed fruit, but not highly flavored. Marchioness of Hastings.-A good grape, resembling the Black Hamburg, but not superior to that well-known variety.

Dr. Robert Hogg.-This grape closely resembles the Royal Muscadine, and is about equal to that variety in flavor and productiveness.

Among the older varieties may be mentioned the Frontignans, white, black, and grizzly; of these, the white is the best; and as the flavor is the same in all, one variety is sufficient in a collection for family use. It is also one of the best for culture in pots.

Muscat of Alexandria.―This standard variety is well known for the large, exquisitely-flavored fruit which it produces. When cultivated in cold graperic's the pollen seems to be imperfectly developed, and con

sequently the bunches are frequently irregular and thin. A variety, the Bowood Muscat, usually sets more perfectly, and is preferable on that account. The Tottenham Park Muscat also sets very regularly. The flavor of these varieties is similar to that of the first mentioned.

Muscat Troveren.-A free-growing, prolific grape; bunches long and well formed; flavor sweet and pleasant, but without any of the peculiar excellence of the Muscats.

Black Hamburg.-This excellent grape is one of the most productive and reliable; it has been grown of a large size; the berries are large, of a full sweet flavor when properly matured. Many persons allow too many bunches to remain on the plant, which, in consequence, never color black or reach full maturity of size or flavor. Severe summer pruning produces a like result; and when this is combined with a heavy crop, the fruit is comparatively worthless.

The Mill Hill Hamburg is sweeter than the old variety. The Wilmot Hamburg has a larger berry; but none of the varieties of the Hamburg are essentially distinct.

Black Prince.-A standard variety for the cold grapery; the vine is free-growing and prolific; the bunches long and tapering, and slightly shouldered; the berries about medium in size; flavor pleasant and rather sprightly.

Black St. Peters.-A very desirable vine, producing freely of long, tapering bunches, which are sometimes heavy-shouldered when the bunches are large; the fruit is brisk flavored, and keeps well for a long time after becoming ripe. It is a good sort for a cold grapery.

Prince Albert.-A very robust-growing vine; consequently it does not come into bearing so early as most varieties, but when it commences to fruit it is very prolific. The bunches are very large; the berries of medium size, having solid flesh, but without any distinctive character as to flavor. It is valuable on account of its lateness, its showy appearance, and productive qualities.

Buckland's Sweetwater. This variety produces a larger bunch and berry than does any others of the so-called Sweetwater class. It is a very beautiful grape, and of good flavor when ripened to a golden color, but it is not of the best class of flavored varieties.

Palestine. This variety is sometimes grown for the novelty of its long bunches, which occasionally reach a length of 30 inches. The berries are small, hard-fleshed, but sweet and palatable. Perhaps the best use that could be made of this grape would be to cross it with a superiorberried sort, and thus secure large-bunched varieties.

Chasselas Musque.-This is one of the highest flavored of all grapes; it is, however, so liable to crack (the berries burst and decay just previous to ripening) that it is not a profitable grape to plant. In pot culture it answers better, as the fruit can be preserved and ripened by keeping the plants rather dry during the period of ripening.

White Nice. This grape produces very large bunches; the berries are of medium size, and, when ripened, of an amber color, are sweet-tasted, but not high-flavored. The berries are prone to rot and decay should the soil in which the plants are growing become wet at the time of maturity.

Sultana.-A seedless grape, said to be the source of the Sultana raisins of commerce. The vine is of vigorous growth, and bears profusely of medium-sized bunches of small berries, which are sweet. It is not worthy of culture under glass.

Raisin de Calabrica.-A very strong-growing vine, producing large bunches, the berries of a fine golden color when ripe. Bunches weigh

ing over 25 pounds have been produced. The fruit keeps for a long time after it has ripened, but it is scarcely of second-rate quality.

Golden Hamburg.-This forms a fine-looking bunch of large-sized berries. It is also a good-flavored fruit when it reaches the golden-colored state. It is a late-ripening kind, and desirable for a grapery.

Zinfindal.-A hardy, vigorous vine, and very productive. The bunches are long and slightly shouldered; berries medium-sized, and possessed of a brisk, vinous flavor.

Purple Damascus and Purple Hamburg are not worthy of culture. The fruits have no particular merit, and the bunches are usually irregular, and the berries ripen unevenly.

White Tokay.-A very showy fruit, bunches large, and berries above medium size. When well ripened the fruit is well flavored, but the berry is liable to decay during damp weather. It can readily be dispensed with for better kinds.

Royal Muscadine.-A fine early grape; it is among white varieties what the Hamburg is among black varieties, a sure bearer and always reliable. The bunches are of good size, and the fruit of good flavor. It is one of the best white grapes for a cold grapery.

Charles Duhamel.-An early ripening grape of the Sweetwater type. This grape represents a class which may possibly prove profitable in many of the Southern States, as early marketable white grapes.

Muscatel. This belongs to the same type as the last, but is much superior in flavor, and is an abundant bearer.

PROPAGATING NATIVE GRAPES.

For the past few years most of the grapes raised in the garden have been propagated in beds in the open air. Hard, well-ripened wood is selected and made into cuttings, which are each about 4 inches in length. Whether the cutting contains one bud or eye, or more, is not important, and if a single eye can be obtained with 3 inches of wood attached, it is considered a good cutting, although lengths which are under 3 inches are looked upon as uncertain should the weather during the early portion of summer prove to be hot and dry.

The ground is prepared by turning it over to a depth of 12 inches in the fall, leaving it as rough as possible, so that it may be effectually permeated by frosts. As early in spring as the ground can be worked, the surface is carefully forked over, and broken up as minutely as practicable; it is important that the soil should be deeply pulverized.

Previous to inserting the cuttings the surface is further broken by using a rake having iron teeth four inches in length. This operation does not consist in merely raking over the surface, but in pushing the rake to and fro to the full length of the teeth, so as to thoroughly comminute the soil as deep as they will reach.

The beds are marked off in breadths of 10 feet with 3 feet wide alleys between. The cuttings are inserted in rows across the beds; they are placed about 2 inches apart, and the rows are formed about 6 inches from each other, so as to admit of a narrow hoe to be run between them. To avoid tramping on the soil, a wide board is used to stand upon while planting the cuttings. The whole of the cutting is pushed into the soil, so that the upper bud or end (the cutting being closely cut above a bud) is level with the surface.

The bed is afterwards covered over with a layer half an inch in depth, consisting of a light friable soil; pure sand may be used if nothing better can be procured; a mixture made of one part sand and one-half