It affords us much pleasure, Mr. Editor, to send you a little synopsis of the Horticultural department of the above-named Report. Especially gratifying must it be to every one interested in horticultural matters to find the considerable space allotted to articles pertaining to Gardening; this is the more pleasant, when we bear in mind the character of former reports emanating from this source. We should not have to go back very many years to find volumes filled with statements from miscellaneous individuals in all parts of the Union and on most every other subject we would discover something of interest except in the Horticultural department The reports issued during the past few years have all been improvements on their predecessors, until that of 1860 is rendered positively striking by the prominence given to Horticulture. All this is very encouraging to those interested in trees and vines, and we live in hopes of seeing a Report from this office which may embrace an essay on Landscape Gardening.

In the preliminary remarks we read, "Cuttings of superior native vines have been received from cultivators and amateurs. These will be propagated with care, and will afford interesting opportunities for making experiments in hybridiz- ing with foreign and other unacclimated varieties." Although not an enthusiast for native grapes, it is very satisfactory to know that there is at the Capitol of the Nation an opportunity of testing all, and giving an impartial report of desirable kinds. That the native grapes should receive the attention of those dwelling in cities, where their vines are somewhat protected from the early frosts and from insects, is, we think, all well and proper; it is to the advantage of every landlord to have a trellis of pruned natives attached to his domicile. Houses on which grape vines are trained always rent to greater advantage, and this also should stimulate the owner who has no horticultural turn; but that the cultivation of native grapes in the middle states will ever prove satisfactory or remunerative on a large scale, we have yet to learn.

But to the Report. "The Department has also given great attention and en- couragement to the cultivation of the native grape, and the manufacture of wine therefrom; and there can be no doubt that its exertions have had considerable influence in causing many intelligent persons to engage in this important branch of industry." So far so good. The Patent Office Gardens are the proper place for experiments; but in regard to the wine made from native grapes, we have yet to see the first that we can pronounce good. Selecting Mr. Longworth as the fit representative of American wine manufacture, we obtained direct from him a box containing several bottles of each of his best known native wines, and we are sorry to say that they did not compare with those of French origin, and were only obtainable at a higher price. Our remarks have no application to California, where we understand good wine, particularly the light sparkling wines, are ob- tainable. On page 29 of the report, we find - "About 135 varieties of grapes are now in the course of experimental culture. Catawba is placed first on the descriptive list; slightly pulpy.

Ripening late, it does not succeed well north of Pennsylvania and Ohio; it is the most general reliance for wine making in the regions to which it is adapted." And we can add without hesitation, that the best American wine that it has been our fortune to drink was made from the Catawba, although not at all comparable to wines of French origin, at the same price.