130 Southern Horticultural Trip. 



had received from frost indicated tliis as the northern limit of this magnifi- 

 cent tree. The same thing was noticed at Louisville, Ky. Besides the 

 magnolias, we saw in Lafayette Square, Washington, beautiful hollies, both 

 European and American, and some good Deodar cedars. AVe visited the 

 Government greenhouses, where is now building and nearly completed a 

 lofty, magnificent circular conservatory with capacious wings. Under the 

 courteous guidance of Mr. Schmidt, we were shown the collection of plants, 

 both under glass and in the gardens ; all of which appeared to be in good 

 condition. There are many of the new and popular trees, shrubs, and 

 plants. Among these We noticed a beautiful new large species of saxifrage 

 and a Yucca angustifoUa, the latter from Kansas, both of which will probably 

 prove hardy at Boston. Our attention was also called to a fine specimen, 

 in the Capitol grounds, of that rare and symmetrical tree, Ostrya vulgaris. 



At the department of agriculture, the commissioner, Hon. Horace Capron, 

 is most zealously and prosperously at work ; every thing assuming the ap- 

 pearance of system, enterprise, and usefulness. Here, too, we found our 

 old friends William Saunders and Townsend Glover, both energetically en- 

 gaged within their departments, determined to do all in their power to 

 make their specialities an honor to our nation. 



The propagating, experimental, and all the other grounds, are under the 

 skilful management of that veteran superintendent and director, William 

 Saunders, who has the sole responsibility of planting the new arboretum, 

 which is to contain two specimens at least of all the trees, shrubs, &:c., of 

 our own or other countries, that will endure the climate of Washington. 

 Mr. Saunders has already laid out the grounds for this purpose most judi- 

 ciously, with broad, substantial avenues through the whole forty acres. 

 The work of planting and filling up according to his design is to be pushed 

 forward vigorously this spring ; and I have no doubt, if his life be spared 

 to prosecute and carry out his plans, they will redound to the honor and 

 usefulness of the department. 



Mr. Glover has particularly under his charge the cabinets of fruits, insects, 

 seeds, &c. All who have seen his beautiful models and illustrations will 

 feel that no one is more competent for the service assigned than himself. 



The soil of the experimental garden seemed to be remarkably well 

 adapted to the pear ; some beautiful trees of which, for size and early pro- 

 ductiveness, were equal to the trees of California. In the vineyard, where 



