unknown; possessing a climate, which, from natural causes, greatly resembles our own; its vegetable kingdom, in its general type, being like that met with upon the Atlantic coast of this continent, which differs so much from that found on the western parts of Europe and America.

A considerable number of rare seeds, roots, and plants have already been obtained from China and Japan, and means have been adopted to increase that number hereafter. Some of these have been brought directly from those countries, through the care and attention of Commodore Perry, and various other individuals. Others have been obtained. indirectly through European channels. They have all been placed in good hands, and as widely disseminated as practicable. It is hoped that they will prove productive of great benefit.

But the attention of the office has not been exclusively directed to the introduction of seeds or plants altogether new. Much care has been taken to obtain and distribute improved varieties of the products of this country already known and cultivated.

When it is recollected how much the value of our live stock has been increased by similar means, the hope of improving our grains, grasses, leguminous plants or esculents, by importation from foreign lands, will not be deemed chimerical. The importance of such a measure seemed to be sufficient to justify the sending of an agent to Europe last autumn, in order to make the best selection of seeds, and procure them direct from the growers. Consequently, a large quantity of valuable seeds of the last year's growth was procured and disseminated throughout all portions of the Union. It is confidently expected that this will result greatly to the benefit of the agriculturists of the country. Similar benefits are also hoped for from the distribution of choice varieties of seeds produced in particular sections of the United States, and not generally known in others. For instance, the number of bushels of corn which, with a given amount of labor and expense, can be grown upon an acre of ground, depends in no small degree upon the kind of seed planted. Some varieties are capable of producing fifty per cent. more than others. Even an increase of a single bushel to the acre, where the soil and cost of culture are the same, is a matter of very great consequence. If, by any course of husbandry, an annual permanent net increase of one dollar in the value of the product of every acre of ground can be secured, such a result would in fact be augmenting the real intrinsic value of all the land so treated, more than ten dollars per acre. A proper selection of seed will in most cases effect much more than this. How well may every farmer, then, find himself repaid

for all the pains bestowed in making such selections, and how useful will be the means which will increase in the greatest practicable degree the facilities for doing this on the widest possible scale!

Accordingly, great pains have been taken to ascertain what varieties of corn, wheat, or other agricultural product have been found most prolific and valuable. These have been procured and disseminated in small parcels in every portion of the country where they were thought likely to be advantageously cultivated. In this manner, they became tested as to their adaptation to the soil and climate of those portions, and, where successful, their gradual introduction will naturally follow.

The small quantity in which some of the seeds have been distributed has sometimes been objected to. Instead of sending a gill of wheat or other small grain to one individual for the purpose of experiment, some persons have supposed that a more liberal distribution-perhaps a bushel to each individual-would be attended with better results. That there are strong arguments on each side of this question is undeniable; but the preponderance seems clearly in favor of the course pursued. The smaller packages, weighing but two or three ounces, can be conveniently distributed through the mails. By this means, too, the opportunity of experimenting can be placed within the reach of several hundred times as many persons than would be if distributed by the bushel. A small amount will, in most instances, test the adaptation of the grain to any particular soil and climate as effectually as would be done in a larger quantity. The testing on a more extensive scale is only at most postponed for a year or two, and the experience required during that time is not entirely lost. Failure sometimes results from unknown and accidental causes. These are more likely to prevent success in one instance than in many. Although the person who should obtain a bushel of choice wheat for trial might be induced to take more pains with it than he who had but a gill; still, out of the hundreds who might obtain the latter quantity, some might be found who would take more pains than either. Indeed, it is to be hoped that when a proper interest is created in this subject, a large proportion of those who shall receive one of these small packages of grain will be induced to take special pains in its cultivation for the first year or two-more, in fact, than could be expected of one who had a bushel or two in his possession.

The seeds should be sown in drills at liberal intervals, well cultivated, and the choicest heads selected with which to pursue a similar course the succeeding year. Is it not highly probable that by following such a course for a few years, a vast improvement might be made

in even the very best varieties of wheat with which we are acquainted? The remainder of the produce of each year's cultivation might also be sown in drills on good ground and carefully cultivated. When ripe, let a few of the choicest heads be selected from this growth, and reserved to be planted in drills in the same manner on the following year. This second growth will constitute class number one of the second crop. The remainder of the first year's growth, after removing all small and defective heads, should also be planted in drills and cultivated, and would constitute class number two of the second crop. On the third year, class number one of the second crop should be treated in the same way as class number one of the first crop had been; and thus from year to year, a small selection being made from the first class of the previous year's growth, a new family will be commenced somewhat superior to any of its predecessors. A judicious system of hybridizing might still further increase the improvement, and would be well worthy of an experiment. On the third year, class number two of the second crop, which would probably have increased to two bushels or more, may be thinly sown broadcast, or, what would be better, by a good drill. The produce of this sowing might thenceforth be used as seed for field use, and would be found vastly improved in character and constitution. It would constitute an improved variety for those to experiment with who wish to do so, with larger parcels than those furnished by the Patent Office. When thickly sown it would probably produce large crops of fine wheat for a few years, and then relapse into an ordinary variety; but by pursuing the course above recommended, the vigor of the plant and its product might be constantly kept up, and its quality improved. At least, the probability of such a result is sufficiently great to justify experiments of the character above suggested. The method pursued of distributing the grains in small parcels would be well calculated to enable many persons to try such experiments.

In fact, it is highly probable that extraordinary varieties of any grain might in such a manner be readily obtained. By selecting a choice head of wheat from almost any field-by drilling, cultivation, and continued selection—by a judicious system of hybridizing to obtain a similar advantage to that derived from crossing with animals,—if success is not finally attained, it would be contrary to all experience in analogous cases. By pursuing a course similar to this, have all the improvements in live stock been made. By like means, choice varieties in corn and other products have been obtained. Should not a similar result be expected from this mode of treating the small grains?

A

Experience is ready to give this question a satisfactory answer. grain of wheat is found in the crop of a wild goose, another in the chest of tea from China, and a third by accident vegetates in a cleft in the rocks, which shoot up alone into a vigorous growth. These become respectively the progenitors of the "Goose wheat," the "Tea wheat," and the "Rock wheat." For a few years, each acquires a great reputation in the agricultural world, and then relapses into mediocrity. What is the explanation of these phenomena? Why, simply that each of these grains of wheat was originally nothing very extraordinary ; but growing alone at first, and being afterwards carefully planted and cultivated for a few years, they acquired a sturdiness of growth, constitution, and reproductive power, as superior to that of the densely crowded broadcast-sown wheat of the field, as the physical health and strength of the farmer, who labors daily in the open air, is greater than that of the pent up denizen of the crowded city. It has had plenty of room, air, and light, as well as proper cultivation and food.

Having thus attained a point of comparative excellence, it is deemed something extraordinary. Afterwards, when employed in ordinary field-culture, when sown broadcast and left untended, having neither the room nor the food to enable the plant to attain its full development, it relapses into its original condition. Any other vegetable or animal product would be subject to similar changes under like treatment.

It is therefore earnestly suggested to every one who has the requisite taste and ability that he should undertake a course of experiments of the kind above contemplated, or any other which his own judgment may dictate, with a view not only of testing choice varieties of such seeds as he may procure, but also of improving the qualities of those very varieties. If the seeds distributed through this office can fall in small parcels into the hands of persons, in all sections of the country, who will pursue the course herein suggested, it may reasonably be expected that the most substantial benefits will result from such a

course.

C. M.

REPORT

ON THE

SEEDS AND CUTTINGS RECENTLY INTRODUCED INTO THE

UNITED STATES.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

February 5, 1855.

SIR: Agreeably to your suggestion, herewith I furnish such information relative to the nature, origin, culture preparation, and uses of the principal seeds, cuttings, &c., imported or introduced into this country within the last two years, as might prove beneficial or acceptable to a great body of our agriculturists, who may have received them for experiment. I regret that I am not able to report at length on many of the products, as they are quite as important, perhaps, as those which are more fully treated. I beg leave to add, that there are numerous useful products in Europe and other distant parts, that never have found their way into this country, which, I am persuaded, might be cultivated with a fair chance of success. The time for believing that the exclusive possession of any benefit contributes solely to the privilege or prosperity of any particular country or kingdom, has gone by; and the principles of free and universal intercourse and exchange are now conceded to constitute the surest foundation for the happiness of nations. This so obviously true in matters of this sort, that it cannot for a moment be doubted. Hence it may be inferred that there is ample room for exertion on the part of our general government, as well as of States or individuals, to increase our agricultural and botanical riches, more especially those products which so conspicuously and permanently add to our useful and economical resources.

Among the foreign products which have more recently been imported or introduced, and distributed for experiment, and which appeared to be susceptible of profitable cultivation in this country, I would instance the following:

CEREALS AND OTHER PLANTS, CULTIVATED FOR THEIR FARINACEOUS SEEDS, STRAW, OR HAULM.

Turkish Flint Wheat, from Mount Olympus, in Asia; a fall variety, with rather large, long, flinty berries no very dark-colored, and pos