et nl 
- REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GARDENS. 195 
_ The recent importations of tea seeds from Japan have arrived in good 
condition. ‘These were simply packed in bulk in close cases. An im- 
_ portation of Assam tea seeds from the East Indies which were packed 
_insawdust were found, when the case was opened, to be completely envel- 
oped with a fungous growth which had destroyed their germinative 
properties. 
/ COFFEE. 
temperature for its profitabie culture than the common or Arabian coffee. 
- The Liberian plant is of a larger growth, the foliage heavier and very 
distinct; individual leaves measure from 10 to 12 inches in length and 
from 4 to 6 inches in width, while those of the common Arabian coffee, 
under similar conditions of growth, measure from 5 to 6 inches in length 
and about 3 inches in width. The berry of the Liberian species is pro- 
 portionately large, but objections are made in regard to its introduction 
- in South America on account of the size of the plant, as being less 
~ amenable to culture and the gathering of the crop. The quality of the 
_ beverage it furnishes is not inferior to that of the common coffee, and 
_ the plants are very productive. The proportion of pulp and parchment 
 inelosing the bean is larger than in that of the Arabian coffee. The 
proportion of worthless covering to bean is nearly as4 tolin the Liberian, 
while it is said not to attain 2 to 1 in the African. : 
JAPAN PERSDIMMON. 
4 The Liberian coffee proves to be more tender, and to require a higher 
’ 
} 
Referring tothe hardiness of the Japan persimmon, it was stated in 
a former report that there was quite a difference in this respect among 
seedling plants, some remaining uninjured during the severest winters 
here, while others suffered to the extent of being killed to the ground. 
_ Since the date of that report several importations of grafted plants have 
been received directly from Japan. This collection includes ten named 
varieties. A number of plants of each variety have been planted here 
for the purpose of testing their hardiness, and the result shows that 
. there is a like difference in this respect among the grafted kinds that 
had previously been found among the plants raised from seed. Some 
of the varieties have been entirely destroyed, while the remaining sorts 
have not been injured, even in a slight degree, and are in perfect health. 
How far north of this locality these plants may be grown will be a mat- 
ter for further experiment. 
Up to this time the Department has not reeommended the planting of 
these trees in the Northern States, but it would appear that there is so 
much difference in their hardiness as to warrant the supposition that they 
_ may succeed in colder climates than was at one time considered proba- 
- ble. This much is certain, that the hardier varieties haye stood unin- 
jured, when in a young state, an amount of cold several degrees below 
zero. 
FIGS. 
The culture of figs has never attracted much attention in the Middle 
and Northern States owing to the susceptibility of the plants to cold. 
They are perfectly adapted to the climates of the Southern States, where 
they have long been cultivated for domestic purposes, but not produced 
in sufficient quantities to be included among commercial products. 
The fig may be fruited in sheltered localities in the Northern States 
by taking the precaution of covering the branches during winter, so as 
— 
Wes ha ss elt Sale 7” ’ a'r, aie i ee At on oe 
