41 



removed by handling. They have a disagreeable odor, and a strong, slightly bitter 

 taste. They make good jam and are a specific for sore throat, and strengthen 

 the vocal organs in a remarkable manner. Used both by white people and Indians. 

 Eipe in the fall. Mr. Walter Evans says that the bloom is rubbed off by the Indians 

 in order that they may be mixed with the more valuable fruits of Vaccinium 

 ovalifoliiim." 



1381. Rubes rubrum. Red currant. 



From Upper Cook Inlet region, Alaska. Received through Prof. C. C. Georgeson, 

 November 18, 1898. (26 packages.) 



Professor Georgeson does not know if it is the same species as the cultivated red 

 currant. It looks like it except that many of the bushes bear pear-shaped berries. 

 Found quite abundant in the upper Cook Inlet region, where it grows in open woods 

 associated mostly with deciduous trees. Some bushes were unusually large and 

 loaded with berries. The latter were ripe in the latter part of August and were 

 gathered by both Indians and prospectors. They are acid, with possibly a little 

 less of the ribes flavor than the cultivated. It is worthy of cultivation as it is. 



1382. Picea canadensis. Spruce. 



From Tyonek, Cook Inlet. Received through Prof. C. C. Georgesou, November 

 18,1898. (2 packages.) 



1383. Vaccinium parvifolium. Red huckleberry. 



From Sitka, Alaska. Received through Prof. C C. Georgeson, November 18, 1898. 

 (18 packages ) 



Small bush with glossy, oblong leaves. Grows wherever the blue huckleberry is 

 found, but not so abundantly. The berry is bright red, rich, sprightly, vinous in 

 flavor. Professor Georgeson thinks it one of the best berries to be found anywhere. 

 Jelly made from it is much superior to red currant jelly. 



1384. Panicum miliaceum. Millet. 



From Tashkend, Russian Turkestan. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, 

 June 4, 1898. From Mr. Durrschmidt. (30 packages.) 



Native red variety. 



1385. Phaseolus mungo. Green gram. 



From Tashkend, Russian Turkestan. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, 

 June 4, 1898. From Mr. Durrschmidt. (40 packages.) 



A native forage plant. 



1386. Sesamum indicum. Sesame. 



From Tashkend, Russian Turkestan. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, 

 June 4, 1898. From Mr. Durrschmidt. (72 packages.) 



"Prince Massalski, of the Agricultural Department at St. Petersburg, in describing 

 the rural industries of Turkestan, writes: 'Among oil plants are grown sesame 

 (Sesamum indicum), flax, saffron (Carthamus tinctorius), garden cress (Camelina sativa), 

 the castor bean (Ricinus communis), the cotton shrub and the poppy, the sesame being 

 the most important of them all; it is generally sown as the second sowing after the 

 winter wheat crop has been gathered, requires but little water, and yields on an 

 average from 533 to 800 pounds per acre, and under favorable circumstances twice 

 as much. Oil is pressed from the seeds of the sesame, and its stalks are used for fuel. 

 The natives scarcely ever prepare pure sesame oil, but generally a mixture of sesame, 

 garden cress, and cotton seed, so that if badly refined the oil gives any dish seasoned 

 with it that peculiar odor with which every traveler in the East is so well acquainted, 

 but when properly prepared it has rare qualities.' ;; (Professor Hansen's notes.) 



1387. Panicum miliaceum. Millet. 



From Tashkend, R 

 June 4, 1898, iron 



White native variety. 



From Tashkend, Russian Turkestan. Received through Prof. N. E. Hansen, 

 June 4, 1898, from Mr. Durrschmidt. (30 packages.) 



