54 SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPORTED. 



55510 to 55515— Continued. 



55515. Queen of the Valley. The vines are large and nnusually vigorous, 

 resisting disease well ; the leaves are large, thick, and dark green. 

 The very large tubers are long-flattened, but because of their large 

 size are less suitable for table use than for feeding livestock. 

 (Adapted from Potato Catalogue o/ B. K. Bliss d Sons. 1881, p. 9.} 



55516. Fragaria sp. Eosaceae. Strawberry. 



From Irapuato, Guanajuato. Mexico. Plants sent by Juan Lopez Com- 

 aremy. Irapuato. at the request of Arthur Stockdale. Mexico Citv. Re- 

 ceived June 20, 1922. 



For previous introduction and description, see S. P. I. No. 54976. 



55517 to 55519. Medtcago sativa L. Fabacese. Alfalfa. 



From Lima, Peru. Seeds presented by Dr. W. E. Dunn, acting commercial 

 attache. Received May 10, 1922. 



Peruvian alfalfa has proved of great value in certain parts of the United 

 States. In the hope of securing new strains which may be superior in certain 

 respects to any now grown in the United States, an effort is being made to 

 obtain seefl from as many different regions in Peru as possible. The following 

 note is taken from H. L. Westover, The Development of the Peruvian Alfalfa 

 Industry in the United States. Department Circular 98 : 



"As compared with common alfalfa, both the Peruvian and ' sniofith Peru- 

 vian ' alfalfas ai'e more upright. l<^ss branclied. and have fewer and .soniewhat 

 coarser stems and smaller crowns. In th'ck stands, the.se differences are hardly 

 noticeable. Most of tl'e Peruvian introductions ai'e also characterized by 

 rapid growtli. quick recovery after cutting, and in sections having a mild 

 climate ability to make growth in cool weather after ordinary alfalfas have 

 ceased growing. Under such conditions the former starts growth earlier in 

 the spring and cimtinues later in the fall, thereby giving morp cuttings each 

 season. The principal objection advanced in times past to these alfalfas is 

 their tendency to become somewhat woody when allowed to stand beyond the 

 flowering stage, but this difficulty is easily obviated by harvesting earlier. 



" Lack of hardiness will always confine the successful production of the true 

 and smooth Peruvian alfalfas to the southern and southwestern portions of the 

 United States, wliere the climatic conditions are comparatively mild. They 

 can not be grown to advantage where the winter temperature falls below 10° F. 



"At the present time most of the Peruvian and smooth Peruvian alfalfa in 

 the United States is found in Arizona and California. It has also been grown 

 to a limited extent in New ^Mexico. Texas, and the coastal regions of the South- 

 eastern States. The results secured seem to indicate that in much of this 

 region the commrn alfalfa could be replaced verv profitablv by Peruvian 

 alfalfa." 



55517. Monsefii Norte. 55519. S'crra AJin. 



55518. Qiiehrada de Tangas. 



55520 to 55547. 



From Ariana. near Tunis. Africa. Seeds presented liy F. Boeuf, chief. 

 Botanical Service of Tunis. Received May 31. 1922. 



55520 to 55524. Avkxa stebit.is L. Poare.TP. Oats. 



55520. Cr^mc. 55523. .Yo//c. 



55521. Civise. 55524. Rou.ue. 



55522. Hi/brifle. 



55525 to 55527. Hokdex'm vulgabe pallidum Seringe. Poacefe. Barley. 



55525. Fourrag^re. 55527. Commune J. 



55526. Commune A. 



