16 



382 YEARBOOK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



maturing varieties may yet be developed which may be adapted to 

 a considerable portion of the cotton States. 



The Victor was originated at Miami, Fla., by Mr. P. J. Wester, 

 Special Agent in the Bureau of Plant Industry. Having obtained 

 a few plants of the common roselle in 1904 from Mr. W. A. H. Hobbs, 

 of Cocoanut Grove, for planting in the Subtropical Garden at Miami, 

 Mr. Wester observed marked variation among them and began select- 

 ing seed from those bearing the largest calyces and showing other 

 desirable characteristics, with the result that in the second genera- 

 tion of plants (1906) the strain was considered fixed and has so 

 continued. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Mr. Wester's characterization of the Victor is as follows: 



''The plants of the Victor variety are inclined to be a trifle more 

 dwarf than the common kind, but the foliage is similar. The meas- 

 urements of the calyx of the common variety are : Length 33 mm., 

 diameter 22 mm. ; in the improved type the measurements are 49 mm. 

 and 28 mm., respectively. The increase in size is thus seen to be 

 rather more in length than in diameter. Calyces of the improved 

 type have in some instances been 60 mm. long and 38 mm. in diam- 

 eter. The improved type is also distinct in being more strongly 

 ribbed longitudinally and in having the calyx not so closely appressed 

 to the seed pod as in the common variety. It is frequently inclined 

 to be convolute at the apex." 



As a tropical plant yielding a quick return in the form of a sauce, 

 jam, and jelly producing fruit, closely resembling in quality the cran- 

 berry of the North, the Victor is worthy of testing wherever the com- 

 mon roselle has been found to succeed. To obtain the highest yield of 

 large calyces, the seeds are planted in southern Florida about May 15. 

 The young seedlings are transplanted to the field when 3 or 4 inches 

 high, and begin blossoming late in October. The first fruit is gathered 

 about the middle of November and should be harvested as rapidly as 

 it reaches suitable size in order to insure continuance of blossoming 

 and fruiting until late in February. 6 



The specimens illustrated in Plate XXXV were grown at the Sub- 

 tropical Garden at Miami, Fla. 



PECAN VARIETIES. 

 [PLATE XXXVI.] 



The numerous pecan orchards that are now attaining bearing age 

 in the Southern States emphasize the fact that it is of the utmost 

 importance that commercial planters of this nut should exercise 



a Farmers' Bulletin 307, p. 10. 



b Full details regarding the culture, yield, uses, and other important points of 

 roselle will be found in Farmers' Bulletin 307. 





