Report of the Horticulturist.* 
INTRODUCTION. 
Our work during the past season has not differed in kind from 
that undertaken in 1883 and 1884. As usual, an important feature 
has been the testing of varieties in the garden, and the determina- 
tion of synonyms. ‘The peculiar nature of this work makes it diffi- 
cult or impossible to hasten it to a conclusion. In endeavoring to 
make strictly accurate and complete descriptions, we can only tind 
the characters which are constant by carefully comparing the 
notes of different seasons. We are also every year receiving new 
varieties, which we must compare with all those previously grown, 
in order to ascertain whether or not they are synonyms. In cases 
of doubt, our only recourse is to grow the suspected synonyms side 
by side the following season. 
Our list of varieties, of which we have carefully made and verified 
the descriptions, is increasing each year, and in this report we pub- 
lish our work upon the garden lettuce, as we did last year upon 
the pea. We now hope that the time is not far distant when we 
shall be able to present equally careful and complete descriptions of 
all the vegetables that thrive in our climate. | 
As in former years, we have performed such experiments in the 
horticultural field as have come to our mind, were within our 
means, and promised valuable results. The records of these are 
given in their appropriate places. The work of washing out roots, 
which we carried to a considerable extent in 1884, has the past 
season been placed in charge of the assistant horticulturist, who 
makes a special report on this subject. 
As will appear in the notes of the fruit department, our list of 
small fruits has been increased by the addition of many new varie- 
ties. 
The season, though cold and backward in spring, has on the 
whole been quite favorable to the development of our garden crops; 
particularly to those that do best in a moist and moderately warm 
climate. ‘The plants of the cabbage family, for example, flourished 
unusually well. Theegg-plant and pepper, however, which require 
a hot climate, were but a partial success. 
With afew exceptions, our crops were unusually free from dam- 
age by destructive insects. 
We have omitted in this report to: note the date and percentage 
of vegetation, although such were recorded as usual. 
*E. 8. Goff. 
