88 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



37613 to 37622— Continued. 



flowers with its leaves. The branches arc covered with fine reddish 

 prickles and glandular tipped hairs. The thorns arc long, slender, 

 and occur commonly in threes. The leaves are small, thick, shining, 

 and partially evergreen. The berries are small, prickly, dry. and few 

 seeded. (Adapted from Botanical Register, vol. 18, pi. 1557 {1832), 

 and Bailey, Cyclopedia of American Horticulture.) 



37623. Citrus sp. Orange. 



From Singapore, Straits Settlements. Presented by Capt. J. Prentice, Corps 

 of Engineers, United States Army. Received March 19, 1914. 



" Seeds from Johore oranges. A very fine variety of free peelers, sweet, 

 russet skin. To be tested in Florida." (Prentice.) 



37624. Cucumis melo L. Muskmelon. 



From Barcelona, Spain. Presented by Mr. Henry H. Morgan. American 

 consul general. Received March 19, 1914. 

 " The so-called Valencia, which matures in the late fall and keeps in good 

 condition for three or four months, melons of this variety being obtainable 

 throughout Spain as late as the month of February. These melons do not 

 generally ripen on the vine, but are gathered while green and hung in nets 

 from the ceiling and doorways, after they have been gathered and exposed to 

 the air and sun, where the ripening process is completed. The sweetest and 

 most exquisite varieties are grown in warm climates, somewhat tempered by 

 fresh winds. Melons can be grown to perfection with a bottom heat of 75° !•'.. 

 gradually increasing to 80°, and an atmospheric temperature of 75° to 80' 

 when the fruit is swelling, as much sun heat as the plant can bear being allowed 

 at all times. The melon thrives best in rich turfy loam, somewhat heavy, with 

 which a little well-rotted manure has been mixed. In planting, the seeds are 

 almost invariably used. Shoots are also employed, although to a very limited 

 extent. Once the seeds are put in the ground the plant is allowed to thrive and 

 no transplanting takes place. Melons exposed to the south and west always 

 crack, which is remedied somewhat by turning the fruit over and changing 

 its position. The purer the water applied the sweeter the fruit will be. Cold 

 and impure water from wells has a prejudicial effect. When the soil contains 

 too much humidity wooden boards or tiles should be placed under the fruit, 

 thus preventing it from rotting. The melon is ripe when its stem changes 

 color and tends to separate itself from the fruit. The best grades are solid and 

 heavy, with a shiny peel. The winter melons, which are gathered before ripen- 

 ing, will subsequently become completely seasoned. These fruits should he 

 gathered in dry periods and never immediately alter a heavy rainfall. The best 

 time to pick melons is at daybreak." (Extract from Consular report, "Melon 

 Cultivation in Spain.") 



37625 and 37626. 



From Zacuapam, Huatusco, Vera Cruz, Mexico. Presented by Dr. C. A. 

 Purpus. Roots received March 30, 1914. 



37625. Euchi.aena mexicana Schrad. Teosinte. 



"From Coseomatepec, Vera Cruz, a railroad station between Cordoba 

 and Huatusco. I saw the grass teosinte in several of the fields near that 

 town. It is raised as a forage plant. This grass seems to be a little 

 tender, because I saw it was damaged some by frost, which is not unusual 



I 



