69 



they are easily oiled witliont tbe wheels being taken oif. They are 

 attached to the beam at each end of the cross-bar in a very simple and 

 efficient manner, the cross bar being- 

 held in its place by a clasp. An ad- 

 justable socket, with a vertical and 

 horizontal hole, is put on to each end 

 of the cross-bar. The stalks of the land 

 and furrow wheels are jjassed through 

 the vertical hole, and the socket works 

 horizontally on the cross-bar. The set- 

 screws which hold the stalks in the 

 sockets are very accessible, little time 

 being occupied in altering either the 

 width or depth. The hake is also fur- 

 nished with a fine adjustment, so that 

 the plow can be made to run perfectly true, thereby contributing greatly 

 to reduce draught." 



LETTEE FEOM THE B0TA:N^IST. 



The following has been received from Dr. C. C. Parry, botanist of the 

 Department, now with the San Domingo Commission : 



Sax Domixgo City, February 13, 1871. 



Dear Sir : I have the honor to report that siuce arriving at this point I have been 

 closely occupied in making observations and collections of matters of interest connected 

 with the agriculture and natural resources of this district. As first fruits of our labors 

 I send by the Tybee steamer, direct for New York, three boxes, two of which contain 

 dried plants, (so nuirked;) the larger one contains articles for the museum, including 

 native libers, cordage, commercial woods, and such articles of native produce as will 

 bear transportation. The fiber called Eamote is the product of Fourcroya' Cabense, and 

 yields enormously. I hope to send some bulblets of this plant that may be grown in 

 the green-house. 



This is not the best fruit season, and most of the native fruits will not bear trans- 

 portation, but at the last point we shall stop at 1 shall endeavor to secure some of them 

 for modeling. All investigation tends to show the vast resources of this country, which 

 are hardly touched through imperfect methods of culture and want of enterprise. Our 

 collection of plants will, I think, number over five hundred species, and we hope to lay 

 in a good stock of seeds and live plants before leaving. I have found Mr. Shumacher 

 very friendly and obliging. I have visited him at his residence, two miles from town, 

 on the sea beach — a delightful residence. He has the Fourcroya Cabense growing in his 

 grounds, and is engaged iu making experiments in producing the fiber from the green 

 plant by machinery. 



My assistant, Mr. Brummel has been away on an expedition into the country for 

 twelve days ; is expected this week. My associate, Mr. Wright, is also absent on an 

 expedition across the country. 



I cannot ascertain certainly what will be the movements of the commission, but I 

 judge there will be no particular haste about returning. I shall try to improve all 

 the opportunities that the difterent movements otter. There is no doubta large section 

 of the mountainous districts adapted to the growth of cinchona. The frequent rains and 

 cool, misty atmosphere, and elevation above the sea, absence of fi'ost, tSrc, supply all 

 the conditions of successful culture. A fair topographical map would enable one to lay 

 down this cinchona district with tolerable correctness. 



The woods of the country are numerous and exceedingly valuable; will constitute 

 one great item of the wealth of the country. I have found coffee growing wild by the 

 roadsides. On all these points I hope to present some interesting data in my final re- 

 port. 



Respectfully, yours, 



C. C. PAEEY, 

 Botanist Agricultural Department. 



Hon. H. Capeon, 



Commissioner of Agriculture. 

 2 



