786 



Alliwm, schoenoprasum . (Liliaceae.) 38787. Seeds of 

 chives from Sianfu, Shensi, China. "A superior variety of 

 chives, much used, forced in darkness, as a winter vege- 

 table. Eaten with fried meats and as a savory in soups; 

 considered to be very healthful. Might possibly be a 

 profitable crop in America when supplied to the Hebrew and 

 Chinese colonies in eastern American cities. Chinese name 

 'Tcho tsal'." (Meyer's introduction.) 



Beta vulgaris . (Chenopodiaceae . ) 38883. Seeds of beet 

 from Esperanza, Sonora, Mexico. Presented by Mr. W. W. 

 Mackie, Director, Yaqui Valley Experiment Station. "Gath- 

 ered in Merv, Transcaspia, Turkestan, in 1911. These 

 seeds came from selections out of three years of crops 

 during which time, I have had them under observation. The 

 climate for the first part of the year in the Yaqui Valley 

 is very similar to the summer of Turkestan where I ob- 

 tained these seeds. The beets produced from these seeds 

 are very vigorous, hardy and drought resistant. The 

 leaves are large and tender and are much used for greens 

 in Turkestan. The flesh is tender, sweet and light red 

 color. The root grows to an immense size, and is eaten 

 greedily by stock. For three seasons this beet has regu- 

 larly produced an abundance of plump seeds of high viabil- 

 ity in June from seeds planted in the preceding fall. 

 This seeding of beets the first year from seed sometimes 

 occurs at intervals in individuals when subjected to drought 

 and again irrigated, thus starting a new or second growth 

 but this Turkestan beet produces seed from every beet reg- 

 ularly in June ." (Mackie .) 



Brassica pekinensis . (Brassicaceae . ) 38782-783. Seeds 

 of Chinese cabbage or pai-tsai, from Shantung, China. Two 

 varieties, one "a remarkably fine one, of very white color 

 and possessing a mild, sweet flavor, weighing up to 10 

 pounds apiece," the other "of conical shape, leaves green- 

 ish-white, very soft and tasteful when boiled or stewed. 

 Chinese name 'Ta pal tsai 1 , meaning 'large white vege- 

 table'." (Meyer's introductions.) 



Capsicum annuum. (Solanaceae . ) 38788. Seeds of red 

 pepper from eltcheng, Shantung, China. "A very elongated 

 variety of Chili pepper, locally much dried and kept for 

 winter use. Is used as a condiment in soups and with 

 noodles, when ground up and mixed with sesame oil and a 

 little salt, creating a good appetite in that way. Chi- 

 nese name 'Chang lo chiao,' meaning 'long chili pepper'." 

 (Meyer's introduction.) 



Coix spp. (Poaceae.) 38868-880. Seed of thirteen 

 varieties of Job's-tears from Burma. Presented by Mr. 



