90 DEPARTMENTAL REPOETS. 



considerable amount of Egyptian cotton seed was obtained from dif- 

 ferent parts of Egypt for use in breeding for improved quality and for 

 resistance to root disease. A quantity of the seed of the Berseem 

 clover was also obtained, but not enough for a general distribution. 



Among the cereals of more or less importance that were imported 

 by the office during the year may be mentioned the North Finnisli 

 Black oats from Finland and Sixty Day oats from Russia, both 

 especially suited by their shortness of season for Alaska and regions 

 of short growing period, and a special strain of Ligowo oats, suited 

 for growth in the Northern States. From Sweden there was also 

 obtained a number of the better brewing barleys especially adapted 

 for shorter seasons. 



Importations that will prove of value for limited localities are a 

 number of figs and caprifigs which will be valuable to California, and 

 a considerable quantity of seed of the Siberian crab apple, which latter 

 plant will, it is thought, be especially valuable as a stock for the apple 

 to prevent winterkilling. 



FUTURE WORK. 



For the coming year, it is planned to obtain new varieties of rice 

 from Japan, China, the Philij^pines, and India, in the attempt to 

 extend the rice industry farther North, and to make it possible for 

 the small farmers in the interior of the Southern States to obtain a 

 rice that will prove v^aluable for stock-feeding purposes. In connec- 

 tion witli this work. Dr. Seaman A. Knapp, of Lake Charles, La., is 

 making a trip to the countries named. 



It is the intention to continue the work with cereals, particularly 

 the macaroni wheats. For this purpose several hundred bushels 

 obtained by Mr. Fairchild in Algeria will be made use of, as well as a 

 large quantity to be obtained in Russia. That now being grown 

 under contract will also be distributed. It is hoped the coming year 

 to be able to demonstrate to the farmers the practicability of growing 

 this wheat, and thus to get its culture generally established. Already 

 in North Dakota and South Dakota farmers are going into this matter 

 quite extensively. 



Special attention will also be paid this year, mainly in the South 

 and on the Pacific coast, to the introduction of new forage crops, 

 principally leguminous plants. There is great need in these regions 

 for a variety of such crops that can be used both for forage and as 

 green manure. 



The date industry will continue to take some time and study. 

 Desirable varieties will be imported when found, and possiblj^ an 

 explorer sent to Algeria to study certain features of date culture. 



A nut of great value in the Mediterranean region is the pistache. 

 A few scions of this have already been imported, but it is intended to 

 prosecute the introduction vigorously. The nut is well worth culture 

 in tliis country, and will prove very valuable when it is once estab- 

 lished. Attention will also be j)aid to the plants especially ada])ted 

 to our tropical possessions. Active cooperation will be maintained 

 with the experiment stations in Porto Rico and Hawaii, and assist- 

 ance will be given, as far as practicable, to agricultural work in the 

 Philippines. 



In cooperation with the office of the Pomologist it is intended to 

 introduce new fruits into this country wherever such may be found 

 desirable. 



