
- 
2 
connaissement ci-annexé, 4 Vadresse du Consulat Genl. de S.M.B. au 
Caire une caisse contenant deux sacs de semence de Tieff {Eragrotis 
rcs ica 
Le Général Gene, que j’avais prié de me procurer à Massowah les 
semences susdites et qui bien volontiers se chargea de cette commission 
r 
ss 
rouge, la cultivation des deux semences est la même, mais la première 
est préférée à cause de sa couleur par les nagae moins pauvres. 
Bien heureux d’avoir pu satisfaire au désir exprimé par votre 
gouvernement. 
Je suis, 
&e. 
(Signé) G. VENANZL 

5. 
FOREIGN OFFICE to pea GARDENS, Kew. 
SIR, n Ottice, 2nd December 1886. 
TH reference to my jatia of the 26th ultimo ae ka previous 
diiine relative to the Tchef seed which n tc 
for Kew Gardens through the kindness of the Italian otheer command- 
ing at Massowah, I am directed by the Earl of Iddesleigh ie forward to 
you the accompanying paper which has been sent to . Baring 
by M. de Martino, the Italian Agent and Consul-General at Cairo, giving 
various details as so the nature, qualities, mode of cultivation, &c. of th 
cereal in questio 
I am, &e. 
The Assistant-Director, (Signed) J. PAUNCEFOTE. 
Royal Gardens, Kew. 

Enclosure. 
Olkraur, 27th September 1886. 
Cultivation of Thaf or Thief. 
Thaf (in the Tigrina language) or Thief (in the Olmharigna 
language) belongs to the family of grasses and resembles the finest 
n grass. 
There are two kinds: white Thaf and red Thaf. Both are, moreover, 
of two different qualities, according to the time of sowing, and are in 
inguished by the names of the seasons; “'Thaf-Hagaiz” 
and “ Thaf-7seddia.” ‘The first is called “ hagaiz,” from the name of 
the season which, according to Abyssinian reckoning, includes all our 
winter and the com mmencement of our spring; it is sown at the end of 
Megabit, in Myazya and Ghembot (March, April, and May). The 
second is called “ Teoddia,” from the name the commencement of 
the rainy season, which follows that of Haga ae precedes that of 
Keremt ; it is sown in June and at the iison of J 
haf-Hagaiz is of slow, and Thaf-Tseddia of apid ori, These 
conditions produce great difference in quality, Thaf-Hagaiz being con- 
siderably superior; the white, especially, is used for “the table by 
the Court and Chiefs. Thaf-Tseddia is of very inferior quality, and the 
abby cake, or the “ Tabita,” which is produced from its flour, is as 
disagreeable to chew as if it were mixed with san 
A 50051, A3 
