8 



7. To cultivate a collection of the best fruit trees, fyc. 



It is known that our lists of fruit trees have reached to an extent that renders 

 it a matter of much perplexity to select those best suited for particular purposes. 

 Tastes vary widely in this respect, and, happily, Nature has provided so ample 

 a variety that all may be gratified. With a view to assist in the selection of 

 sorts, specimen orchards should be established, consisting of a discriminate col- 

 lection of the acknowledged best fruits, as far as they are known, in each class. 

 In order to make this result more immediately effective, advantage should be 

 taken of the valuable labors of the American Pomological Society in making a 

 selection of sorts. 



There is every reason to believe that plantations of this description will be 

 of great service to all who contemplate planting fruit trees. The relative 

 merits of sorts, both as regards the intrinsic qualities of the fruit, and the pro- 

 ductiveness of the plant, as well as the general appearance and habit of growth, 

 hardihood and freedom from disease, would here be exhibited. The modifying 

 influences of culture in training and pruning, already alluded to, should here 

 receive prominent attention. From such a source facts of the highest value 

 would be demonstrated. 



8. To plant a collection of choice shrubs, fyc. 



Every one will admit that the embellishment of dwellings and their surround- 

 ings has an ameliorating effect upon the habits of the occupants. It is also 

 well known that many persons are deterred from undertaking this kind of im- 

 provement owing to their inability to decide upon the kind of plants and shrubs 

 that would prove most satisfactory. A choice collection of hardy shrubs should 

 therefore be cultivated, and if arranged so as to produce landscape effect, those 

 who contemplated landscape improvements, and, indeed, all who felt desirous of 

 studying the various forms and peculiarities of this family of plants, with a 

 view of becoming familiar with their adaptabilities, either as isolated plants for 

 particular positions, or the general effect produced by combined masses, would 

 here find instructive examples. 



9. To erect glass structures, &c. 



The opinion is by far too prevalent that glass houses for the accommodation 

 of plants or the culture of fruits are expensive luxuries within the reach of a 

 comparative few. Nothing can be further from the truth ; the pleasures as well 

 as profits to be derived from an exotic grapery are so great, the expense of 

 erection so moderate, and, withal, the general management so simple and so 

 easily acquired, that it should form an adjunct to every country residence. Even 

 in the limited area usually allotted to city dwellings a small grapery can be 

 established where little else can be cultivated. It would be a duty worthy the 

 attention ofvthe department to show how to build such structures cheaply, and 

 systematize and popularize a mode of management within the capacity of all to 

 understand. 



The trouble connected with raising hardy fruits, such as the- plum, apricot, 

 and nectarine, in some districts, has led to the culture of these fruits under the 

 protection of glass houses, where a family supply is as certain as a crop of corn. 

 The amount of fruit thus grown in a limited space is truly surprising. Suc- 

 cessful examples of this and other projects cannot fail in conveying instruction 

 and effecting an economy of time, labor, and money. 



There is much yet to be demonstrated in the form, materials employed, ven- 

 tilating, heating, and general arrangement of glass structures. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



WILLIAM SAUNDEES, 

 Superintendent of Experimental Garden. 



