18 



2010. Ocimum basilicum. Sweet basil. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. (See 

 No. 2008.) 



''Lettuce-leaved." "A variety with broad, crimped, undulating leaves, from 2 to 

 4 inches long, and of a low-growing, thickset habit. The flowers, which are closely 

 set in clusters, make their appearance rather later in this variety. The leaves of 

 this Basil, which are much larger than those of any other kind, are also much 

 fewer in number." ( Vilmorin.) 



2011. Ocimum gratissimum. Tree basil. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



Grown in hot countries. It is an annual with an upright stem, branching from 

 the base and forming a pyramidal bush 20 to 25 inches high, and 12 to 16 inches 

 through. Leaves oblong; flowers lilac. It requires a long season. 



2012. Benincasa cerifera. Wax gourd. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



Probably needs a hot climate; the fruits keep all winter. A cucumber-like vine 

 with hairy, musk-scented leaves, and oblong, cylindrical, downy or waxy, fruits. 

 The seeds are thickened at the margins. The unripe fruits are used everywhere in 

 India in the preparation of curries. Cultivate like melons. Cook like summer 

 squash. 



2013. Beta vulgaris. Beet. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



"Red Cheltenham." "This beautiful variety of salad beet, which originally 

 came from England, has an elongated, netted, and slightly enlarged root. Flesh of 

 an intense blood-red color. Contrary to the rule regarding color in leaves of 

 garden beets, the distinctive character of this strain is that the leaves are grayish 

 with rose-colored veins. The excellent qualities of this table beet give it first 

 rank." (Vilmorin.) 



2014. Beta vulgaris. Beet. 



From France. Received through Mr. W, T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



"Covent Garden red." "Avery handsome kitchen-garden variety, with a long 

 slender root entirely buried in the soil, smoother and cleaner than the Castleman- 

 dary; leaves spreading, not very large, slightly crimped, of a deep black-red color; 

 flesh deep red, compact, sugary." (Vilmorin.) 



2015. Beta vulgaris. Beet. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



"Dell's dark crimson dwarf." "This variety is distinguished by the dark-red 

 color of its leaves, which are broadly crimped, and have a shiny luster. The 

 leaves grow curving toward the ground. Doubly valuable for the delicate flavor 

 of the root and the ornamental character of the leaves." ( Vilmorin.) 



2016. Beta vulgaris. Beet. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



"Queen of the blacks." "Foliage compact and well proportioned to the root. 

 The root is conical in shape, both at the top and base, but longer and more tapering 

 below. The color of the flesh is deep red, or almost black. The leaves themselves 

 present coloring no less intense; they are relatively broad, and are never, at any 

 time during their growth, plain green, which is extremely rare, even among varieties 

 of beets that have their foliage more highly colored in autumn. Sometimes used 

 for bordering groups of dark-foliaged flowering plants." ( Vilmorin.) 



2017. Beta vulgaris. Beet. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, February 13, 1899. 



"Giant white half-sugar." "Among the varieties of beets rejected by the sugar 

 industry the Giant White is remarkable for its regular form, its great productive- 



