spondents will also understand that there is no wish to encourage 

 requests from those who may be actuated merely by the desire to 

 "plant something new." 



In the absence of any detailed statement regarding items of the fol- 

 lowing list, it is to be understood that nothing is known as to their 

 value or desirability for the United States. The reports of last year's 

 experiments have been incorporated where they seemed suggestive or 

 conclusive, but when they were few in number and of contradictory 

 import, it seemed best, if the stock of seed was not exhausted, to await 

 the results of a more extensive distribution. 



In attempting to bring back a representative collection of the useful 

 plants of the arid southern parts of Asiatic Russia, Professor Hansen 

 included several species the distribution of which even for experi- 

 mental purposes can scarcely be advised, such as the series of barber- 

 ries, which, notwithstanding any possible desirability in other regards 

 for the Northwest, can not wisely be planted in any wheat- growing 

 region for the reason that the wheat rust in one of its stages is 

 parasitic on the barberry, and spreads from it with especial virulence. 

 Other numbers have a botanical or an anthropological rather than an 

 agricultural interest and many remain undetermined, but it has seemed 

 best for purposes of reference to publish the entire list. 



O. F. Oook, 

 Special Agent in Charge of Seed and Plant Introduction. 



INVENTORY. 



1. Brassica oleracea. Cabbage. 



From Moscow, Russia. Received through Prof. N". E. Hansen, February, 1898. 

 (29 packages. ) ' ' Bronka ; " early variety. 



According to Mr. H. C. Warner, of the State Board of Agriculture of South Dakota, 

 this variety produced heads a little earlier than the Jersey Wakefield, but they were 

 too small for market. 



2. Brassica oleracea. Cabbage. 



From Moscow, Russia. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, February, 1898. 

 (62 packages.) " Genuine white Bulgarian." 



3. Brassica oleracea. Cabbage. 



From Moscow, Russia. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, February, 1898. 

 (7 packages.) A white variety from Ladoga Lake region. 



Mr. Warner also experimented with this number and found it of medium quality, 

 but with the type not well fixed and the heads mostly loose. He states that it is not 

 to be compared for value with Succession, Vandergaw, or Flat Dutch. 



4. Brassica oleracea. Cabbage. 



From Moscow, Russia. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, February, 1898. 

 (5 packages.) " White Reval." 



5. Brassica oleracea. Cabbage. 



From Moscow, Russia. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, February, 1898 

 (61 packages.) " Genuine white Saburovka, fine for sauerkraut." 



