BUKEAU OF PLANT INDUSTEY. 93 



The grape investigations now under way will be continued and 

 further extended. 



The sj'stem of heating the greenhouses upon the grounds will be 

 changed from the old plan of hot water in closed circuits and a boiler 

 for each house, to steam from a central heating plant. 



The arrangements of the plants in the economic collection will be 

 remodeled so as to be more instructive, and so labeled as to present 

 to the visitor in brief and concise form that feature for which each 

 plant is specially valued. 



ARLINGTON EXPEEIMENTAL FARM. 



With a view to making the farm of the greatest value to the entire 

 Department, the general management was placed under Prof. L. C. 

 Corbett. The work of the farm in general and of gardens and grounds 

 is closely related. 



V^ORK OF THE YEAR. 



The area known as Arlington Experimental Farm was originally a 

 part of the estate now occupied by the Arlington National Cemetery. 

 This land lies on a river beach between the Potomac River and the 

 Alexandria and Mount Vernon turnjjike. The soil, while not rich, is 

 in good mechanical condition and responds readily to cultivation and 

 fertilization, and is easily drained either by surface drains or l)y tile, 

 as the contour is irregular and provides readily for the removal of 

 suface water. 



DRAINAGE. 



Large open ditches have been constructed which traverse the farm 

 so as to catch and remove the water which iiaturally drains upon it 

 from the Arlington National Cemetery, and provide outlets for the 

 tiled drains which have been made tributary to them. Up to the 

 present time about one mile of open ditch has been constructed and 

 nearly three carloads of tile laid. The work of underdraining will be 

 continued until the farm is satisfactorily drained. 



SURVEY. 



Previous to permanent planting the farm is being surveyed in such 

 a manner that permanent plantations may be made upon land more 

 suitable to the particular crop to be planted without having interven- 

 ing places occupied by similar crops, and yet so that the permanent 

 planting will conform to the general plan or scheme of development 

 for the entire area. 



The plan being carried out is to run drivewaj's parallel with the 

 boundary of the National Cemetery at intervals of 8 rods, thus giving 

 the plats, which are one-twentieth acre in area, 1 rod of frontage 

 along the driveways. The twentieth-acre plat is considered the unit 

 for all plat work. 



In addition to this survey a topographic survey is being made 

 which shall note the contour and the position of the open as well 

 as the tile drains. As soon as this topographic survey shall be com- 

 pleted a soil survey of the area is contemplated. It is hoped to make 

 this in great detail, in order that after the expiration of a series of 

 years the changes which have been effected by various plans of soil 



