National a7id Educatio7ial Interests. 117 



sion exists in the names of existing varieties of fruits, flowers 

 and plants, and the means of identification are entirely inade- 

 quate. There are many duplicate and local names, but there 

 is no source from which to establish official or authoritative 

 names. Those dealing in, or having to do with plants, are 

 caused great annoyance, trouble and expense on this account. 

 Our country is great, and has a large and growing population, 

 and as this becomes more dense, greater attention will be given 

 to horticulture in all its branches and to the refining influence 

 of flowers and plants for ornamentation. 



''It is fully time that horticulture throughout the entire ex- 

 tent of our country should be put upon a more business-like 

 and comprehensive basis. When this is done, the progressive 

 horticulturist will be justified in giving more attention to the 

 originating and developing of the edible, ornamental, and 

 otherwise useful plants, and mankind will be greatly bene- 

 fitted thereby. 



''The one thing which will give the greatest impetus to hor- 

 ticultural advancement at this time is, in our opinion, the es- 

 tablishing of a national plant register, which will give the 

 description, history, etc., of plants and varieties, which shall 

 be official and authoritative. In addition to this, the securing 

 to the originator such protection as will justify him in devoting 

 his time, thought and money to this work, would induce many 

 to devote their lives to the securing of better varieties than 

 we now have. 



" These desired improvements can only be secured b}^ the 

 enactment of the necessary laws by the national government, 

 and the United States Department of Agriculture at Washing- 

 ton (assisted by the Experimental Stations, Agricultural Colle- 

 ges, etc.), is the most natural and appropriate place for their 

 execution. 



"The proposed plan of registration. — The registration of 

 plants should commence at the point where botany ceases and 

 horticulture begins. Provision should be made for registering 

 at once the varieties of all species of plants having a commer- 

 cial value. If at a future time it is thought best to extend the 

 register to such species as have but a scientific or botanical 

 value, the same plan should be so arranged as to admit of its 

 being extended to any point desired. 



"Lists of species should be started under which to register 



