6G REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



wLeiicc it lias been introduced into other tropical countries. It belongs 

 to the orchid fiiniily. " Though most of the vanilla of commerce is 

 derived from plants growing wild in the forests, yet much is the ijrod- 

 uct of a species of cultivation which is very simple. All that is neces- 

 sary is to cut a slip of the stem from the lower part and plant it near 

 the trunk of a tree, attaching it by cords. The plant immediately takes 

 root in the bark of thy tree, and sends out air-roots, which, reaching 

 the ground, lix themselves in the soil." It also climbs the trees by 

 means of the aerial roots. It begins to bear fruit in three years, and 

 continues productive for thirty or forty years. The leaves are fleshy, 

 dark-green, oval, and sessile. The pods are usually G to 8 inches long, 

 a quarter of an inch thick, nearly straight, and within the tough outer 

 coating contain a soft black, pulpy matter, filled Avith minute, black, 

 shining seeds. This interior pulpy portion has a peculiar agreeable 

 odor, and a warm, aromatic taste. 



There is reason to think that this plant may be successfully culti- 

 vated in Southern Florida. 



There was imported into the United States in 1884 over 75,621 xjounds 

 of vanilla, having a value of over $357,821. 



Maesh-mallotv Egot — AWiea officinalis. 



This is a plant of the mallows family (Malvaccc), native in many parts 

 of Europe and Asia. It has a i)erenuial root, from which are sent up 

 annually a number of erect leafy stems from 2 to 4 feet high, branching 

 toward the top, producing leaves and flowers much like those of the 

 common hollyhock, but smaller. It prefers saline locations, as marshy 

 river banks, and low coast land. It has become naturalized to some 

 extent on the salt marshes of the coast of New England and New 

 York. 



The roots are the part principally employed, although the leaves and 

 flowiTS possess the same i^roperties. They are called demulcents, hav- 

 ing a mild, soothing action on the mucous membranes, useful especially 

 in coughs and for external application on inflamed surfaces. It is much 

 employed in confectionery. The roots are collected in autumn from 

 plants which are at least two years old. Our commercial supply is ob- 

 tained from Europe, but we have much marshy land which might be 

 advantageously utilized by introducing these plants. 



OTHER PLANTS. 



Many other minor medicinal herbs could undoubtedly be cultivated 

 with us. Among them may be named camomile, arnica, belladonna, 

 digitalis, and colchicum. Peppermint and spearmint have been suc- 

 cessfully and to a considerable extent cultivated in Michigan and New 

 York. 



Pyrethrum has recently been cultivated with great success and profit 

 in California, chiefly for its use as an insect-destroying powder. 



NATIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS. " 

 Jeffeesomia diphylla — Twin Leaf; EJieumatism Root. 



A small herbaceous perennial, of the order Berberidaeea;. The rhi- 

 zoma or root-stalk is thick and short, emitting a mass of matted fibrous 

 roots. From the root-stalk is sent up a number of long-stalked, erect 

 leaves, the leaf and stalk when mature being a foot or more in length. 



