3980. Hibiscus esculentus. Okra. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 299), December 28, 1899. 

 "Short-fruited variety." Reported to be a heavier cropper than No. 3979. A 

 French seedsman has just ordered 200 tons of seed of this variety. Preferred by 

 the natives for drying purposes when young ; very hardy. The young fruits, 

 one-half to three-quarters of an inch long, are strung on strings and dried. In 

 this state they are kept indefinitely. This variety is reported the best for this 

 purpose. Sow 4 or 5 seeds in hills 1 foot apart, on ridges 2£ to 3 feet apart. Okra 

 is often planted as a mixed crop with cotton. 



3981. Eruca sativa. Rocket salad. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 300), December 28, 1899. 



"Seed broadcasted. Forty days until harvest. Said to be an excellent Egyp- 

 tian variety." 



' 'A low-growing plant with leaves like those of the radish . Stem erect, smooth, 

 and branching ; flowers rather large, white or yellow, veined with violet ; seed 

 vessels cylindrical, with three not very prominent ribs on each side ; seeds brown, 

 smooth, and somewhat flattened. The seed is sown in the open ground from 

 April to the end of summer, and the leaves may be cut in about six weeks or two 

 months. In spring or autumn fresh leaves are abundantly produced after cut- 

 ting, but in midsummer the plants run to seed rapidly. Frequent waterings are 

 useful in keeping the leaves tender, and in modifying the flavor, which is very 

 strong and somewhat like that of horse-radish. The young leaves are eaten as 

 salad. " ( Vilmorin. ) 



3982. Luffa cylindrica (?). Sponge gourd. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 301), December 28, 1899. 

 "This is a very pretty perennial creeper for trees or trellises. It requires little 

 care and forms a luxuriant foliage. The blossoms are much sought by honey 

 bees. When sown in March in France it yielded fruits in July. When young 

 the fruits are pickled like cucumbers, or fried. The mature fruits contain a 

 tough skeleton of the greatest convenience, when dried and split open, as a scrub- 

 bing brush for bath or kitchen. Although a perennial, it is gro wn as an annual 

 preferably, as the fruits which are grown the first year are larger. It is very 

 profitable as a small crop in Egypt. The plant requires plenty of water and is 

 easily propagated by layering. Most native houses are provided with the skele- 

 tons of this gourd for domestic purposes. Hats and various other articles of 

 apparel are manufactured from Luffa fiber." 



3983. Lactuca sativa. Lettuce. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 



302), December 28, 1899. 



"Grown in Upper Egypt exclusively for oil production. Sown broadcast in 



beds and left to seed. Oil is pressed from the ground seed precisely as from cot - 



ton seed. The yield of oil is 200 kilos per 4,200 square meters, or from 9 to 11 



pounds per bushel of seed. The oil is an excellent substitute for olive oil." 



3984. Brassica rapa (?). Strawberry spinach. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 303), December 28, 1899. 

 ' ' Leaves of the ' Strawberry spinach ' are used as a salad, especially on account 

 of the green coloring matter, which is easily extracted and gives a brilliant color 

 to Vegetable dishes. The seed is sown broadcast. Five to ten cuttings of leaves 

 may be made. The scientific name is doubtful. This is reported as an Egyptian 

 variety." 



