\ Rep. No. 564. ] 111 
3. In what manner it is propagated—^by roots, seeds, buds, grafts, layers, 
or how? and how cultivated? and are there any unusual circumstances 
attending its cultivation ? 
4. Is it affected by frost in countries where frost prevails ? 
5. The native or popular name of the plant, and (where known) its bo¬ 
tanical name and character? 
6. The elevation of the place of its growth above the level of the sea? 
7. Is there, in the agricultural literature of the country, any special trea¬ 
tise or dissertation upon its culture ? If so, let it be stated. 
S. Is there any insect particularly habituated to it? 
9. Lastly—its use, whether for food, medicine, or the arts ?. 
In removing seeds or plants from remote places across the ocean, or 
otherwise, great care is often necessary to be observed in the manner of 
putting them up and conveying them. To aid your efforts in this respect, 
upon the present occasion, a paper of directions has been prepared, and is 
herewith transmitted. 
The President will hope for your attention to the objects of this commu¬ 
nication, as far as circumstances will allow; and it is not doubted but that 
your own public feelings will impart to your endeavors under it a zeal pro¬ 
portioned to the beneficial results to which the communication looks. It 
is proper to add that no expense can, at present, be authorized in relation 
to it. It is possible, however, that Congress may not be indisposed to pro¬ 
vide a small fund for it; The seeds, plants, cuttings, or whatever other 
germinating substance you may transmit, must be addressed to the Treas¬ 
ury Department, and sent to the collector of the port to which the vessel 
conveying them is destined, or where she may arrive, accompanied by a 
letter of advice to the Department. The Secretary of the Navy has in¬ 
structed the commanders of such of the public vessels of the United States 
as may ever touch at your port to lend you their assistance towards giving 
effect to the objects of this communication, as you will perceive by the copy 
of his letter of instructions, which is herewith enclosed for your informa¬ 
tion.' It is believed, also, that the masters of the merchant vessels of the 
United States will generally be willing—such is their well-known public 
spirit—^to lend their gratuitous co-operation towards effecting the objects 
proposed. , 
I remain, respectfully, your most obedient servant, 
RICHARD RUSH. 
Directions for puttmg up and transmitting seeds and plants ; accom¬ 
panying the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury of September 
6, 1827. 
With a view to the transmission of seeds from distant countries, the first 
object of care is to obtain seeds that are fully ripe, and in a sound and 
healthy state. To this, the strictest attention should be paid; otherwise, all 
the care and trouble that may be bestowed on them will have been wasted 
on objects utterly useless. , . 
Those seeds that are not dry when gathered, should be rendered so by 
exposure to the air, in the shade. 
When dry, the; seeds should be put into paper bags. Common brown 
