REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



7 



dow almost abandoned on account of the abridged area which can be 

 devoted to culture, and i\hu lor the important reason that the exposed 

 condition of the grounds and their proximity to the city offer facilities 

 to depredators to destioy plants and rob them of their fruits before they 

 can reach a degree of maturity necessary to decide upon their merits. 

 The small area of arable land, which is yearly encroached upon by the 

 erection of necessary buildings, limits the facilities of propagating and 

 cultivating plants for distribution; but the most is made of it, and, to- 

 gether with the glass structures used for the purpose, an average of 

 100,000 plants of various kinds are annually produced and distributed. 



Among the most notable introductions and additions to our standard 

 orchard fruits, the Japan persimmon may be mentioned. Satisfied as 

 to the superior value of this fruit, wherever it can be planted in a suit- 

 able climate, importations have been made from time to time, and for 

 several years past, from its native country. The earliest of these impor- 

 tations, made some fifteen years ago, were disseminated over a wide 

 range of territory, in order to fully test the hardiness and fruiting capac- 

 ity of the plants in different climates and localities. After this had 

 been virtually determined, the more recent and more valuable impor ta- 

 tions have been distributed only in localities where the plants can sur- 

 vive in all seasons, and where the fruit can be produced in perfection. 

 This fruit is now being extensively propagated and planted with a view 

 to profitable culture, and it is quite probable that in a few years it will 

 be familiar in our markets. 



The citrus family of plants has been and is receiving considerable 

 attention. The constant inquiries for information regarding oranges, 

 lemons, limes, &c, and the demand for plants, has been met as far as 

 the Department has been able to do so. Various importations have 

 been made of the best varieties obtainable in other countries. A small 

 but choice variety, known as the Taugierine, was early introduced, and 

 has become very popular and of much commercial value in orange- 

 growing localities. Subsequently, plants of a variety imported from 

 Bahia were distributed about twelve years ago, and in California it is 

 regarded and recognized as the most valuable orange produced in that 

 State. It is known in commerce as the Washington Navel orange, in 

 order to distinguish it from other Navel oranges, of which there arc 

 numerous varieties. Another valuable kind, imported from Europe, is 

 named Melitcnsis. This variety has not been largely distributed as yet, 

 but is expected to prove to be distinct, valuable, and popular when 

 better and more extensively known. 



The importation of Russian apple-trees was made some years ago 

 by the Department, scions of which were very extensively distributed 

 to nurserymen and others, and are now receiving much attention, as 

 the collection includes many varieties which are considered by orchard- 

 ists to be of great value in regions where apple culture had hitherto 

 proved unprofitable. These hardier kinds resist much cold, and have 



