37 



1342. Secale cereale. Rye. 



From Russia. Received through Prof. N. E. Hanseu, February, 1898. (600 

 packages.) 



Variety "Winter Ivanof;" largely grown in northern Russia. 



1343. Fagopyrum fagopyrum. Buckwheat. 



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



" Siberian. " A recent introduction in European Russia from Siberia, and promis- 

 ing for cold regions. — (Professor Hansen.) 



1344. Caragana arborescens. Siberian pea tree. 



From Russia. Received through Prof. ~N. E. Hansen, February, 1898. (40 

 packages.) 



This shrub is very extensively grown in Russia as a hedge plant. If not trimmed, 

 it attains a height of 15 to 18 feet, but it can be kept trimmed low. Also used for 

 a nurse tree in tbe Government timber plantations east of the Volga, as it endures 

 extreme drought. This species has proved hardy in Manitoba and Assiniboia, Can- 

 ada, and should be much more extensively grown. — (Professor Hansen.) 



1345. Oarthamus tinctorius. Safilower. 



From Russia. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, February, 1898. (40 

 packages.) 



"Hitherto grown for its red dye stuff, but recently has come into prominence in 

 the Volga River region for the oil extracted from the seeds. The oil is said to 

 approach olive oil for table use, but does not keep as well. Professor Williams, of 

 the Agricultural Academy at Moscow, said it was a good drier for paints. At the 

 experiment stations along the Volga I found it under trial with a view to replacing 

 the sunflower as an oil plant, as the sunflower has been attacked by insect pests in 

 the last few years. The many church fasts create a large demand for table oils. 

 Careful selection was being practiced at one station to eliminate the thorns by 

 saving seed from the few thornless plants. It endures very severe drought. With 

 cotton-seed oil so cheap I do not think the plant will have special value in the 

 United States, and the many thorns make it unpleasant to handle." — (Professor 

 Hansen's notes.) 



1346. Ervum lens. Lentil. 



From Russia. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, February, 1898. (2 

 packages.) 



Russian variety. Much grown along the Volga River. Does well in dry regions. 



1347. Salsola. 



From Russia. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, February, 1898. (10 

 packages.) 



Sand binders. 



1348. Luffa (?). G-ourd. 



From Peru. Received through Victor Eguiguren, Peruvian minister to the 

 United States. October 19, 1898. 



A cucurbitaceous plant similar to Luffa cylindrica and used for a similar purpose, 

 i. e., for scrubbing sponges. Also employed in the manufacture of delicate boxes 

 and toy baskets. The Peruvian name is u jabonillo" (little soap). 



1349. Oorylus avellana. Filbert. 



From Gand, Belgium. Received through W. T. Swingle, October 29, 1898. 

 "Aveline de Brunswick." 



