340 Pomona College Journal of Economic Botany. 



of smaller plants. Annuals, on the other hand, after a short cycle of life, 

 would disappear, and leave unpleasant vacancies in the beds. 



In this systematic department, all plants are arranged strictly in accord- 

 ance with their affinities, the three lower squares hv'mg occupied by vas- 

 cular cryptogams, (Jyperaceae, Graminaceae, Palinaceae and Cycadaceae. The 

 six squares that follow comprise the balance of the monocotyledonous plants 

 up to family 40. Dicotyledonous plants start with tlic fiftieth family, their 

 subdivision Polypetalae taking 24 scpiares, »ip to family 226. The remain- 

 ing 50 squares (family 227 to 277) are occupied by the subdivision Gamope- 

 talae, which, according to the latest scientific views, are endowed with most 

 perfect organization. 



Including roads and i)atlis between the Ix'ds, this department covers 

 an area slightly inferior to two hectares (about five acres). Two wells have 

 been dug along the central road, which runs from east to west, and supply 

 all needs of irrigation. On the xipper end of the .systematic department, 

 there is a miserable shanty which affords some protection to the laborers 

 during stormy weather. All around this were sown seeds of various climb- 

 ing plants, belonging mostly to the genera Maurandia, Tecoma, Bignonia, 

 Distictis, Pitheooctenium, Gouania, and Pa.ssiflora. 



Parallel to the main avenue of the station, on the northern side of the 

 grounds, lies the fruticetum, the section which must receive the subarbores- 

 cent flora of all countries, preference always being given to the native 

 Mexican. Here the plan is to arrange, in a methodical order, species of 

 shrubs or small trees, at a distance of five meters from eat'h other. There 

 are about 100 species planted already, the names of which I shall omit for 

 the sake of brevity; and also because I hope to be able to issue, within a 

 short time, a complete catalogue of all plants already in cultivation in this 

 new botanic garden. 



This fruticetum has an area of about one hectare and a half (3% acres), 

 and will contain .some 535 specimens, making a mo.st interesting collection. 

 At the northwestern corner, cn rising ground, it is planned to build a small 

 propagating house, as well as rooms for the herbarium and for a small ref- 

 erence library; also a place for tools and storage. Adjoining the above, 

 a small conservatory will also be l)uilt for such plants as are es.sentially 

 tropical, and for those which require a good deal of .shade and moisture. 

 The watering of this department will be easily provided by a pump, run 

 by a small aermotor. 



The arboretum occupies all the .southern part of the garden, being par- 

 ticularly sheltered by a series of low hills which run from east to west. 

 It covers an area of 31/^ hectares (SVi acres), upon which trees will be 

 planted 714 feet apart. Trees of all countries will be set here, preference 

 being given to those of the American continent, and more especially to those 

 which are natives of Mexico. The black dots on the adjoined plan mark 

 the species already set out, which are distributed according to methodical 



