PREFACE 



While the af^rieultural explorers sent out l\y this Office are, as a 

 rule, sent for the purpose of securing- some special seeds or plants 

 desired for introduction into the United States, they are also expected 

 to make themselves as familiar as possible with the agricultural prac- 

 tices of the countries they visit and with the crops that succeed under 

 the conditions described. That some of the practices observed may 

 be profitably followed in those parts of the United States having simi- 

 lar soil and climatic conditions is more than probable, and that certain 

 of these crops will prove useful has alreadj" been demonstrated. 



The American farmer of to-da}' wants to know what is being done 

 elsewhere, and he is especially interested in hearing how other people 

 meet difficulties similar to those with which he has to contend. The 

 reports of our agricultural explorers, we believe, will therefore fill 

 a distinct place in agricultural literature. This report points out 

 clearl}^ the close similarity in climate existing between certain portions 

 of the Southwestern States and Algeria, making it plain that we must 

 look to that country for the introduction of many useful plants into 

 our arid and semiarid districts. 



We have, indeed, already availed ourselves of the opportunities thus 

 offered. The date palms so far secured have come largely from Alge- 

 ria; certain grains from that country, now being tested, give promise 

 of unusual value; and the writers of this report brought back a quan- 

 tity of alfalfa seed from salt-resistant plants, which has already l)een 

 tested and gives promise of decided usefulness in Arizona and Cali- 

 fornia. 



To throw as much light as possible upon the conditions under which 

 crops are grown in Algeria, chapters upon the topography, climate, 

 irrigation, and soils are included. These, together with the brief his- 

 torical and political sketch, have been prepared by Thomas H. Means. 

 The remainder of the report was written ))y Thomas II. Kearne3^ 



The writers wish to acknowledge the services cordially rendered 

 them b}' the following-named gentlemen in the prosecution of their 

 Avork: Mr. Henri Vignaud, of the United States embassy in Paris; 

 the Governor-Cjeneral of Algeria, and the French Resident tit Tunis; 

 Dr. L. Trabut, of the botanical service of the government of Algeria; 



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