REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GARDENS. 69 



start, while others suifer to the extent of being killed to the ground. All 

 the young plants have been distributed; a few only having been planted 

 in the grounds some years ago, which are now ten feet and over in 

 height, but have so far given no indications of flowering. 



It appears that in Japan the persimmon, like our own orchard fruits, 

 has long been subject to improvement by culture and selection of the 

 best varieties, which are then increased by grafting. The Japanese are 

 now in possession of many fine varieties, differing greatly in size, shape, 

 and quality ; some being oblong, like a huge acorn, others are flat, 

 closely resembling both in shape and color a large, red, smooth tomato. 



It may therefore be presumed that the plants raised here from seeds 

 would bear the same relation to these improved varieties that seedling- 

 apples do to the finest productions of our orchards, and that efforts 

 should be made to procure a supply of these grafted varieties directly 

 from Japan. 



These fruits are worthy of introduction ; in Japan they are dried in 

 the sun and preserved in the same manner as figs, which they very much 

 resemble when thus prepared. The fruit is not so astringent as is our 

 native persimmon, Diospyros Virginiana. 



Ti.Nn.IJL 



The opinion prevails that the vaniUa-plant can be* successfully culti- 

 vated in Florida, and applications for plants and inquiries as to their 

 growth and culture are frequently received. 



The vanilla belongs to the family of orchids, and grows wild in Mexico, 

 Peru, Brazil, and other parts of South America. It is also found in 

 Trinidad, Jamaica, and other West India Islands, and it is exceedingly 

 doubtful if the climate of any portion of Florida would prove suitable for 

 its profitable cultivation. 



The vanilla is a climbing plant, and is propagated by cuttings inserted 

 near the stems of trees upon which it climbs, adhering to the bark by 

 its fleshy roots. 



The best marketable pods are supposed to be produced by the species 

 Vanilla planifolia, and the principal supply comes from Yera Cruz. 



Assertions have been made that the vanilla-plant grows wild in 

 Florida. In answer to requests for specimens, leaves of Liatris odor a- 

 tissima have been received. This plant has aromatic foliage, and is 

 sometimes used for flavoring cigars and tobacco, and is locally known 

 as wild vanilla, but it has no relation whatever to the vanilla-plant that 

 produces the fragrant pods of that name, 



PAEAGXTAY TEA. 



The Paraguay tea-plant, or mat^-tree of South America, will not, 

 probably, flourish in any part of this country. It is a species of ilex, or 

 holly, and the prepared leaves form an article of considerable commerce 

 in South America, but has not yet been introduced as an article of diet 

 in any other country. Its consumption is said to be steadily increasing, 

 and it is probable that it may yet become an article of importation here 

 as well as in Europe, if its reputed good qualities are truly reported. 

 The leaves contain theine, the bitter principle of tea and coffee, but in 

 less quantity than is found in either of these well-known beverages, al- 

 though some analyses have placed it equal to coffee in its stimulating 

 properties. 



There are two methods of preparing it for use. For domestic coe-? 



