INVENTORY OF FOREIGN SEEDS AND PLANTS. 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 



In the importation and distribution of a large number of samples of 

 foreign seeds, the use of a series of numbers has been found necessary 

 as the simplest means of designation in the frequent absence of English 

 names. The publication of this list appears desirable in order to ren- 

 der the available data accessible for reference and to enable our corre- 

 spondents to select to best advantage the seeds or plants with which 

 they may desire to experiment. 



When the work of this section was formally organized the Depart- 

 ment was already in possession of a considerable quantity of seeds 

 secured by Prof. Niels E. Hansen of the Agricultural College of South 

 Dakota during a visit to Russia, central Asia, and Siberia. This long 

 and arduous journey was undertaken under circumstances rendering 

 extremely difficult the accumulation of detailed information. A large 

 amount of territory was, however, covered and much valuable material 

 secured. A portion of this was distributed last year, but many of the 

 importations did not arrive until after the planting season had passed, 

 so that they are as yet entirely untried in America. In many other 

 cases correspondents have stated that their experiments were unsatis- 

 factory on account of late planting, and another trial is therefore 

 necessary. Although the numbers of varieties in some groups is 

 formidable, it is hoped that through cooperation of experiment stations 

 and private investigators the more valuable novelties may be experi- 

 mentally separated from those not serviceable in the United States. 



The repetition of identical names and data under successive numbers 

 may appear to have been unnecessary unless it is explained that the 

 typographical arrangement is expected to serve a second purpose in 

 the form of printed labels to accompany the seeds. Efforts are being- 

 made to increase the amount and definiteness of the information to be 

 furnished with later importations. 



In addition to the importations of Professor Hansen, there have been 

 numerous contributions from a variety of sources, as noted in each case. 

 More recently there has arrived from France a large series of seeds and 

 cuttings personally selected by Mr. Walter T. Swingle, agricultural 

 explorer of this section. At an early date are expected invoices of 

 cereals from Russia and Japan, specialists in such crops having visited 



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