8 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



therefore been instrumental in extending the culture of this fruit into 

 northern regions where other varieties have failed. 



Native grapes and strawberries are propagated to some extent. 

 These are mostly distributed in newly-settled localities, and, as they 

 bear fruit at an early age, are specially useful in introducing fruit 

 culture among pioneer farmers. 



The records of this Department indicate that the commencement of 

 fruit culture in States now famous for their productions in this line has 

 been significantly due to the early distribution of plants through its 

 agency. 



The progress of the tea plants at the station near Summerville, S. 0., 

 is reported by the superintendent as being perfectly satisfactory. The 

 plants are now large enough to afford, during the early summer of next 

 year, leaves in sufficient quantities to warrant an effort at tea manu- 

 facture, if such an operation may be deemed necessary. 



That the Chinese tea-plant can be grown over a large portion of the 

 United States, and that good teas have and can again be made from 

 such plants, are facts which are not matters for dispute or surmise; but 

 whether teas can be produced of standard qualities to meet the require- 

 ments of commerce, and in sufficient quantities and at a cost which will 

 be profitable to the planter and to the manufacturer at the prevailing 

 prices of that commodity, are questions which have not been practi- 

 cally demonstrated on a proper scale. But the factors of successful 

 tea production in other countries are well understood ; and it is equally 

 well recognized that in some essential conditions (a principal one being 

 a deficiency in the average rainfall) there is sufficient reason for caution 

 in planting the large area which makes success possible even in the 

 most favorable climates. The capability of growing the 7 plant has not 

 for half a century back been a question of doubt in all localities where 

 the thermometer does not reach a lower point than from eight to ten 

 degrees above zero. 



The demand for semi-tropical and tropical plants, from residents of 

 the warmer climates of this country, increases yearly. These demands 

 are somewhat perplexing, for the reasons that seeds of the plants called 

 for are rarely to be found in commerce, and are therefore difficult to 

 procure in reliable condition; and, again, demands are made for mauy 

 species of plants which the Department is perfectly well convinced can- 

 not be grown advantageously in any part of the United States. 



The hardiness of tropical plants depends upon the altitude of their 

 native habitats. Altitude and latitude are almost synonymous terms 

 in plant life. Tropical plants, if taken from high altitudes on mountain 

 slopes, will stand severe colds and even frosts, and are therefore fitted 

 to grow in what might be comparatively quite northern latitudes. 



The climates of the United States are peculiar in the respect that 

 even the most northern State has a summer, more or less lengthy, 

 which is strictly tropical in its temperature. During this period the 



