Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture

"Catalogue of Economic Plants in the Collection of the U. S. Department of Agriculture" by William Saunders is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The work serves as a descriptive list of various important economic plants gathered by the United States Department of Agriculture. Each plant is detailed with information regarding its origin, uses, and economic significance, reflecting the agricultural and botanical knowledge of the time. The opening of this catalogue begins with an introduction from William Saunders, who prepared the list on the directive of the Secretary of Agriculture, J. M. Rusk. This portion outlines the purpose of the publication, emphasizing its utility for visitors and researchers interested in the Department's work. As it moves into the detailed catalogue, it systematically lists various plants along with their descriptions, including native locations, applications in cooking, medicine, and other practical uses, thereby showcasing the diverse and valuable contributions of these plants to society and economy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Saunders was a horticulturist, landscape designer and nurseryman. During his long career, Saunders designed the Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg, planned and developed the Washington DC park system, authored hundreds of articles on horticulture and introduced numerous plant species into the United States, significantly impacting the nation's agricultural economy. He was one of the first landscape architects to be employed by the federal government and spent thirty-eight years working for the US Department of Agriculture. He was also one of the founders of the National Grange, or Patrons of Husbandry.