76 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



This plant is a species of Desmodium, several kinds of which grow 

 throughout the country, and are commonly called ' ' beggar-lice,"' from 

 their appearance and from adhering tenaciously to the clothing of 

 passers-by. The species sent would not probably be hardy in the 

 Northern States. 



From Gainesville, Fla. : 



Vanilla beans are quoted in New York at from §7 to $12 per jjoiind wholesale. 

 Can you inform me if the climate and soil of Florida are adapted to their growth ?" 



From Tucson, Ariz. : 



During the past year I have discovered tobacco growing wild in the mountains of 

 Arizona. Have you any record of the existence of wild tobacco in this region ? 



Several species of wild tobacco were cultivated by the Indians. 

 One species {Nicotiana rustica) was cultivated by the Indians in 

 New Mexico and Arizona, as observed by Dr. Ed. Palmer. Another 

 species {Nicotiana quadrivalvis) was cultivated by the Indians from 

 Missouri to (jregon. One or two other species are recorded as having 

 been cultivated in California. 



From Philadelphia, Pa. : 



I wish to utilize a strong, white fiber which is furnished by the plant called 

 " bear-gi-ass," which grows iu the Southern States. To do so economically and profit- 

 ably requires that the plant should be foimd in large quantities in some particular 

 locality. Can you inform me of any place where it grows in sufficient quantity for 

 that purpose? 



From Savannah, Ga. : 



Can you give me the botanical name and description of the inclosed plant? It 

 grows in a wild state in Brooks County, Georgia, and is known among the negroes 

 as " poor man's salve," and a wonderful efficacy is claimed for it in curing old sores 

 and indolent ulcers. 



The plant is a species of Croton, which grows commonly in the 

 Southern and Western States. 

 From Norfolk, Va. : 



I send a few cork-oak acorns, grown on a tree produced from an acorn planted 

 about 1860 or 1861. The original acorns came from AVasliington Patent Office, I 

 tliink, and being planted just before the war were neglected, and only three of the 

 five have lived, and they being too close together to develop. The largest tree is 

 about 14 inches in diameter and about 20 feet high. This is the fu-st year I have 

 ever seen acorns. The cork is about 1^ to 2 inches thick, and too porous for use. 



A large quantity of these cork-oak acorns were distributed in the 

 Southern States about the time mentioned above and many of them 

 grew. Reports concerning such have been received from South Car- 

 olina and Georgia, where trees are probably still growing. No bark 

 has yet been i)roduced of sufficient thickness and compactness to be 

 serviceable for the manufacture of corks. 



From Titus ville, Fla. : 



I send you a package contauiing a plant that is said to be the best known specific 

 for dysentery and all bowel complaints. It is said to be an old-time remedy in 

 the Southern States. It is called "flux-weed." I will be thankful if you will give 

 me the name and medical properties of the plant. 



This is Galium hispiduhim, a low, sj^reading plant of the order 

 RuhiacecE. We have no knowledge of its medicinal properties. 



From Texas: 



I inclose a plant called " Indian blood-weed." Please identify and classify for me. 

 It grows mostly along the foot of the "red hills" (which are ranges of flat hills con- 

 taining iron). It was used by the Indians for purifying the blood and curmg skin 

 diseases. I have seen it used by the settlers and herders, who made a tea of it, 

 which in all cases proves beneficial in cvuring sores or skin diseases in a short time. 



