30 



This variety is a remarkably early one, and its quality is almost invariably excellent. 

 This and the early black rock melon are the best two kinds for forcing under frames." 

 ( Vilmorin.) 



2100. Cuctjmis melo. Cantaloupe. 



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



" Vauriac." An improved variety of " Prescott fond blanc." "A splendid variety, 

 almost round in shape, very regularly ribbed, with a rough silvery gray skin. The 

 flesh is a deep, rich orange color, of exquisite texture, deliriously flavored, thick, 

 sweet, and melting. It is a vigorous grower and very proline." (Vilmorin.) 



2101. Cucumis melo. Cantaloupe. 



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



" Sugar cantaloupe." One of the best for field culture. " Fruit nearly spherical 

 or flattened at the ends, with ribs not very strongly marked, of a uniform silver-gray 

 color. Flesh orange, very thick, sweet, juicy, and perfumed; skin remarkably thin. 

 Fruit 5 or 6 inches in diameter." ( Vilmorin.) 



2102. Mentha. Japanese mint. 



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

 A new variety for trial in Michigan. 



2103. Solanum nigrum. Nightshade. 



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



" Isle of France." An improved variety, said to be eaten in hot countries like 

 spinach. "Native of Europe. Annual. A well-known wild plant, generally regarded 

 as a weed, growing most usually near dwelling houses and in cultivated ground. It 

 has an erect branching stem from 1^ to about 2i feet long, with simple, broad, oval 

 leaves, often wavy at the edges. Flowers white, star-shaped, growing in small 

 axillary clusters and succeeded by round berries, about the size of a pea, of a black 

 or, rarely, amber-yellow color, and filled with a greenish pulp mixed with very 

 small lenticular seeds of a pale yellow color. The kind which is cultivated in the 

 Isle of France under the name of Brede does not differ botanically from the com- 

 mon kind, but is more vigorous growing and larger in all its parts. The seed is 

 sown where the plants are to stand, in April, in beds or, preferably, in drills 12 to 

 14 inches apart. After being thinned out the plants require no further attention, 

 and are quite proof against dry weather. The leaves, however, are more tender and 

 more plentifully produced if the plants are occasionally well watered when they 

 appear to need it." (Vilmorin.) The green berries are usually considered to be 

 poisonous. 



2104. Brassica campestris. Chinese mustard. 



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



" Chinese curled." Eaten like spinach; good for warm countries. This sort may 

 be used for garnishing. An oil is extracted from the seeds in China and India. 

 This is Sina})is pekinensisof the gardeners. 



2105. Brassica napus. Turnip. 



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



"Freneuse." " Root entirely sunk in the ground, spindle-shaped, grayish white, 

 wrinkled, with numerous rootlets, narrowing from the neck like a salsify root, 5 or 6 

 inches long, 1] inches in diameter at the neck. Flesh white, dry, sugary, and very 

 firm. Leaves small, short, very much divided, dark green, forming a rosette which 

 lies Hat on the ground. It succeeds best in rather poor, gravelly soils. It is the 

 most highly esteemed of the dry-fleshed turnips." 



2106. Brassica napus. Turnip. 



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

 "Half-long white forcing." Useful for forcing under glass. 



