36 



2156. Glycine hispida. Soy bean. 



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



"Yellow Etampes." The soy bean requires about the same soils and climatic con- 

 ditions as indian corn. It should be planted in late spring or early summer, after 

 the ground is warm. In general the early varieties are best to grow for seed and the 

 late ones for forage. Seed is sown broadcast or in drills at the rate of from 2 to 4 

 pecks per acre. The crop grows rapidly and does not require much cultivation except 

 to keep down weeds. One hundred pounds of soy bean hay contain 88.7 pounds of 

 dry matter. Of the 51 pounds digestible there are 10.8 pounds of crude protein. The 

 ripe soy bean seeds contain 34 per cent of protein, 17 of fat, and 33.8 of carbohy- 

 drates. In 100 pounds of seeds there are 66.8 pounds of digestible food. 



2157. Spergula maxima. G-iant spurry. 



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



" Giant spurry." An annual forage plant producing a low, tangled mass of suc- 

 culent stems with numerous narrow leaves. It is an excellent catch crop in short 

 seasons. It has been recommended for sowing over the ranges in southern California, 

 and as a first crop on the pine barrens of Michigan. Twenty to 30 pounds of seed is 

 enough to sow per acre, as the seed is very small. It is considered fine feed for cattle 

 and sheep, though the amount produced is not very large. 



2158. Secale cereale. Rye. 



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



" De Mars ordinaire." Three months' rye. A very distinct variety. The earliest 

 of the spring sorts. Grain small. 



2159. Robinia pseudacacia. Locust. 



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



2160. Pyrus aria. Beam tree. 



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



Known also as " Whitebeam." A small, deciduous tree, a native of Europe, bearing 

 red fruits, edible when very ripe. "As an ornamental tree the whitebeam has some 

 valuable properties. It is of moderate size, and of a definite shape; and in summer, 

 when clothed with leaves, it forms a compact green mass, till it is ruffled by the 

 wind, when it suddenly assumes a mealy whiteness. When the tree is covered with 

 fruit it is exceedingly ornamental." (London.) 



2161. Pyrus aria latifolia. Beam tree. 



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



"Allouchier de Fontainebleau." A variety of the beam tree with thick, rounded 

 leaves, white beneath, and brick-red fruits. 



2162. Pyrus torminalis. Wild service tree. 



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



Of possible value for plant breeders. A tree 40 to 50 feet high, native of northern 

 Europe and western Asia. It has simple, lobed leaves, and bears small fruits, some- 

 times eaten when in a state of incipient decay like medlars. "As an ornamental 

 tree its large green buds strongly recommend it in winter time, as do its fine large- 

 lobed leaves in summer and its large and numerous clusters of rich brown fruit in 

 autumn." (Loudon.) 



2163. Amelanchier vulgaris. Amelanchier. 



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

 A shrub or small tree, native of southern Europe. The fruits are edible. 



