INVENTORY OF CEREALS AND FORAGE PLANTS 

 COLLECTED IN RUSSIA. 



The cereals and forage plants included in the following list were 

 obtained by Mr. M. A. Carleton, of the Division of Vegetable Physi- 

 ology and Pathology, who visited Russia in 1898 under detail as Agri- 

 cultural Explorer of the Section of Seed and Plant Introduction. The 

 primary purpose of this investigation was to secure superior varieties 

 of cereals, especially such as might be adapted to the grain-producing 

 Northwestern States. From the notes prepared by Mr. Carleton it 

 appears that he has succeeded in securing several varieties of much 

 promise, since they are adapted to cold climates, have a short growing 

 season, and are resistant to fungous diseases. This is particularly the 

 case with the wheats, in the special study of which Mr. Carleton has 

 long been engaged. The other items, while of subsidiary importance, 

 may also prove valuable. In addition to those enumerated in the 

 present list, Mr. Carleton brought back a considerable number of sam- 

 ples of miscellaneous seeds of garden vegetables and other annuals. 

 These will be catalogued in a later inventory. 



Experimental quantities of these cereals and forage plants have been 

 sent out to the Western agricultural stations and to a few private experi- 

 menters. In but few cases is the amount of seed sufficient to permit 

 wider distribution at present, but in the event of conspicuous success 

 with any of these importations larger quantities will be made available 



in future seasons. 



O. F. Cook, 



Special Agent in Charge of Seed and Plant Introduction. 

 Washington, D. C, April 15, 1899. 



INYENTOEY. 

 2788. A vena sativa. Oat. 



From Russia. Received March, 1899, through Mr. M. A. Carleton. 



Swedish Select oat. From the government of St. Petersburg. Mean annual rain- 

 fall, 18| inches; for the growing season (May to September, inclusive), KM- inches. 

 Mean annual temperature, 38.6°. Soil, a dark humus clay with considerable sand 

 intermixed. Sown April 27. Period of growth, 106 to 108 days. A very large- 

 grained white oat. much improved from the original seed, which was introduced 

 from Sweden into Finland and the St. Petersburg government. Well suited for trial 

 in western New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota. Iowa, eastern North and 

 South Dakota, and perhaps southern Alaska. Amount obtained, 20 bushels. 



3 



