This is the VOA SpecialEnglish AGRICULTURE REPORT.
Many people who come to Washington, D-C, act surprised when theyfirst visit the United States National Arboretum. The NationalArboretum is only a short drive from the center of the city.However, visitors to the Arboretum often feel like they are far fromthe busy American capital.
The National Arboretum covers one-hundred-eighty hectares ofgreen space in the northeast part of Washington. The area is famousfor its beautiful flowers, tall trees and other plants.
An arboretum is a place wheretrees and plants are grown for scientific and educational purposes.The National Arboretum was established by an act of Congress inNineteen-Twenty-Seven. Today, the United States Department ofAgriculture operates the Arboretum.
The goal of the Arboretum is to carry out studies and provideeducation in an effort to improve the environment. The goal includesprotecting trees, flowers and other plants and showing them to thepublic.
The National Arboretum is a popular stop for visitors toWashington. About six-hundred-thousand people visit the Arboretumeach year. It also has become famous through cooperative programswith many countries, including Austria, Japan and Russia.
Recently, the Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, opened ayear-long celebration in honor of the National Arboretum’sseventy-fifth anniversary. Mizz Veneman praised the Arboretum as anational treasure.
As part of the celebration, MizzVeneman assisted in the planting of a tree near the United StatesCapitol building. The tree — a Sun Valley red maple — is one ofthe many award-winning plants developed by Arboretum scientists.
The Sun Valley red maple was developed as part of a project tostudy the genetic qualities of leaf color and insect resistance. Thetree produces leaves that remain bright red late into autumn. It wastested in the state of Maryland. The Sun Valley maple kept itscolorful leaves for about two weeks before they fell to the ground.The tree also resisted the potato leafhopper, an insect that feedson the leaves of trees.
American Agriculture Department officials say they expect the SunValley red maple will be ready for sale to the general public nextyear.
This VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT was written by GeorgeGrow.