JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1910. 33 



26758 and 26759. Medicago sativa L. Alfalfa. 



From Mitchell, S. Dak. Presented by Prof. W. A. Wheeler, through Mr. Charles 

 J. Brand. Received February 10, 1910. 



Seeds of the following: 



26758. "(S. D. No. 240; acclimatized Turkestan alfalfa.) This seed is the 

 1909 progeny of S. P. I. No. 991, and was grown at Mitchell, S. Dak. It is 

 one of the hardiest of all the alfalfas that have been tested by the department, 

 ranking second only to the Grimm alfalfa of Minnesota. In an experiment 

 at Dickinson, N. Dak., including 68 kinds, it was exceeded in hardiness only 

 by Minnesota and North Dakota Grimm." {Brand.) 



26759. "(S. D. No. 167; so-called Baltic alfalfa.) This is one of the very 

 promising alfalfas for cold climates, and at Dickinson, N. Dak., ranked fifth 

 in winter hardiness of 68 kinds. For detailed information as to its origin, 

 see S. P. I. No. 25806." (Brand.) 



26760. Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Stapf. 



From Tamsui, Formosa. Presented by Mr. Samuel C. Reat, American consul. 

 Received February 5, 1910. 



"This plant, which is closely related botanically to American wild rice, is, however* 

 a perennial, which perpetuates itself by underground rootstocks. It grows wild and 

 is also cultivated in various parts of China, Japan, and Formosa, and is the source of 

 three separate food products, which are: The seeds, a fungus growth produced in the 

 inflorescence, and the succulent vegetative shoots, which are produced from the root- 

 stocks. The plant has a number of Chinese names, the most common of which is i Ku* 

 It is also known in the vicinity of Canton as ' Chiao sun, 1 at Shanghai as ' Chiao pai,' 

 and at Peking as 'Chiao kwa.' According to Bretschneider, the fungus growth in the 

 inflorescence ( Ustilago esculenta P. Henn) is known as 'Ku shou. ' This fungus, which 

 is said to be edible when young, is probably not unlike the smut occurring in the 

 inflorescence of Indian corn, which latter is sometimes eaten by the Mexican Indians. 

 The seed of this plant is apparently not generally used for food in China, as are the 

 other parts, though mention of their use as human food is made in very early Chinese 

 literature. The plant is said to be cultivated extensively in the vicinity of Canton, 

 China." (C. S. Sco field.) 



26761 to 26767. 



From Sebastopol, Crimea, Russia. Received through Mr. Frank N. Meyer, 

 agricultural explorer, February 9, 1910. 



Cuttings of the following : 



26761. Morus alba L. White mulberry. 



From estate of Maximoff, near Sebastopol, Crimea, Russia. "(No. 360, 

 January 11, 1910.) Variety fastigiata. A handsome fastigiate form of the 

 Russian mulberry, resistant to drought and heat. Suitable as an ornamental 

 garden and park tree, especially in the semiarid, hot -summered regions of the 

 United States." (Meyer.) 



26762. Salix babylonica L. Willow. 

 From estate of Maximoff, near Sebastopol, Crimea, Russia. "(No. 371, 



January 1], 1910.) Variety aurea. A willow with golden-yellow branches, 

 which are very pliable. It is apparently drought and heat resistant, and can 

 be grown, as a producer of tying material, in the semiarid, hot-summerea 

 regions of the United States." (Meyer.) 



73527°— Bui. 207—11 3 



