47 



2378. Beta vulgaris. Sugar beet. 



From France. Imported by the Division of Chemistry from Vilmorin-Andrieux 

 & Co., Paris, France. Received February, 1899. 



" Vilmorin's Improved White." 



2379. Beta vulgaris. Sugar beet. 



From Germany. Imported by the Division of Chemistry from Adolf Strandes, of 

 Zehringen, near Cothen, Germany. Received February, 1899. 



This variety is to be known as " Zehringen." 



2380. Cucumis melo. Winter muskmelon. 



Grown in Utah. Presented by Mr. John F. Brown, of Elgin, Grand County, 

 Utah, who developed the variety and who makes the following statement con- 

 cerning it : 



"Variety ' Eden,' a winter muskmelon. This melon is supposed to have originated 

 in Japan. Some 10 years ago a few seeds were sent to Mr. W. C. Wheeler, of this 

 township, by whom, he does not remember. This seed was divided with me and 

 planted, but the crop failed to mature on the vines and was cast aside as worthless. 

 A few of the melons were concealed by accident under some shocks of corn, and 

 when these were husked in December the melons were found. They had turned yel- 

 low and were of fme quality and flavor. Experiments from that time have developed 

 the present perfect 'Eden' melon. This melon does well on any soil that will raise 

 ordinary melons. Plant and cultivate same as other melons. Use no more water 

 than is absolutely necessary, as too much water takes from the quality of the melon, 

 but adds to its size. The most perfect all-round melon will weigh about 9 pounds. 

 Gather at the time of the first frost, keeping only mature melons. The fruits should 

 be cut from the vine, leaving about 3 inches of vine on melon. Store in frost-proof 

 and perfectly dry building above ground, place melons with flat end up, not piling 

 on top of one another. The temperature should be kept just above frost point, but 

 the melons can be forced to ripen, as with other fruits, by putting in a warm place. 

 A hollow seed cavity shows forced growth by using too much water. These melons 

 have been used in the eating houses along the R. G. W. Ry. and in the hotels and 

 restaurants of Salt Lake, Denver, and Colorado Springs, and have always sold at $3 

 per dozen and up, delivered at the express office here. Parties in different parts of 

 the United States have tried to raise this nielou from seed sent from here, but they 

 failed to mature a crop, as they had no directions to go by, this being the first time 

 that the results of my experience have been made public. I used the last of the 

 1898 crop February 20, 1899." 



2381 to 2541. Vitis vinieera. Grapes. 



The numbers between 2381 and 2511 were applied to a series of varieties of the 

 European grape imported in cooperation with the Division of Pomology in order to 

 permit a thorough and systematic test of the possibility of producing in the South 

 Atlantic States the table grapes now imported from Europe. Such tests are now 

 being conducted by the Division of Pomology at various points in the South, par- 

 ticularly in North Carolina and Florida. No cuttings are now available for distri- 

 bution, but provision will probably be made later for the distribution of any varieties 

 which may prove worthy of public attention. A full list of all the varieties imported 

 will also be published as a special inventory. 



2542. Prunus amygdalus. Almond. 



From Marseilles, France. Received through Mr. Walter T. Swingle, February, 

 1899. 



" Princess." Large and sweet, with a thin shell. 



2543. Prunus amygdalus. Almond 



From Marseilles, France. Received throug 

 1899. 



Very large and sweet ; shell moderately hard. 



From Marseilles, France. Received through Mr. Walter T, Swingle, February, 

 1899. 



