704 



Tehuantepec, are smaller, according to a natural size 

 photograph taken by Messrs. G. N. Collins and C. B. 

 Doyle." (Pittier.) For distribution later. 



Opuntia spp. (Cactaceae.) 36350-357. Seeds of prickly 

 pears from Peru. Collected by Mr. W. F. Wight, of this 

 Bureau. Eight varieties from Cuzco and Arequipa, Peru, 

 and Oruro and La Paz , Bolivia. Among them are some tunas 

 of very good quality, and some from an elevation of 13500 

 feet. For distribution later. 



Oryza sp. (Poaceae.) 36533. Seeds of the interesting 

 perennial rice from the Colonial Garden, Nogent-sur-Marne , 

 France. This is the first introduction of seeds of this 

 species, plants of which were introduced previously under 

 number 34092 and are now being experimented with by Mr. 

 Chambliss of the Office of Cereal Investigations. In 

 quality this rice Is said to be superior "Co the annual 

 rices of the West African coast. It may also have an un- 

 usual alkali resistance. For distribution later. See 

 halftone. 



Panax quinquefolium . (Araliaceae . ) 36282. Ginseng 

 seeds from Songdo, Korea. Presented by Mr. N. Gist Gee, 

 Soochow University, Soochow, China. "The soil is prepared 

 by mixing sand and loam in the proportion of 1:1. The 

 sand is frequently obtained by sifting it from the bed of 

 a nearby stream. In order to get as near as possible to 

 the natural wild environments of the plant, the leaves of 

 the oak or chestnut trees are collected, allowed to decay, 

 and then dried. When dry the leaves are crumbled very 

 fine, and then mixed half and half with sand sifted from 

 the hill-side. This is obtained by first removing the top 

 layer and getting the unexposed earth. The plants are 

 cultivated on elevated beds about 6 or 8 inches above the 

 pathways between them. These are usually about wide 

 enough for one to work them from one side (about 2 or 2^ 

 feet.) The length of the bed varies with the kind of 

 field, short on hillside, quite long in the valley. Fer- 

 tilizer one inch thick is spread upon the beds before the 

 seeds are planted. The beds are covered over with sheds 

 with top and one side stationary and a curtain which can 

 roll up and down forming the other side. They seem to 

 keep the plants sheltered throughout their entire period 

 of growth. and regulate the amount of sunlight by the 

 curtains. Before planting soak the seeds in water for 

 four days until they swell and are nearly ready to burst. 

 Then take them out and dry them. This should be done be- 

 fore Fall. In the Fall bury a vessel in the earth in a 

 shady place and put the seeds as already prepared in it, 



