10 



3985. Cucurbita maxima. Pumpkin. 



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

 304), December 28, 1899. 

 A yellow, oblong variety, 1{- feet long. Both this variety and No. 4265 were 

 compared with 15 European sorts grown in Egypt and found superior, both in 

 amount of flesh and in sweetness. The trials were made by Mr. George Bona- 

 parte, Gizeh, near Cairo. 



3986. Citrullus colocynthis. Colocynth. 



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

 305), December 28, 1899. 

 ' ' Cultivated like other gourds. It has medicinal properties, but the reason for 

 introducing it at the present time is as a moth preventative. In Egypt the dried 

 fruits are crushed to powder, mixed in the proportion of 2 to 1 with black pepper, 

 and spread over clothing to prevent moths from eating it. As it has no odor, 

 this preventative is worthy of consideration. The seeds and fruits are extremely 

 bitter and poisonous." 



3987. Yicia faba. Broad bean. 



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

 306), December 28, 1899. 

 ' ' A red-seeded variety of Egyptian origin. Planted here two seeds in a hill, 

 12 inches apart, in November. It fruits in five months. The young pods and 

 seeds are cooked and eaten. The beans mature dry and are cooked. This var- 

 iety does better here than the imported European sorts." 



3988. Albizzia lebbek. Lebbek. 



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

 307), December 28, 1899. 

 "The Lebbek" is altogether the most beautiful shade tree that is extensively 

 planted in Egypt. It was introduced from the East Indies previous to 1807, 

 and hundreds of thousands are now planted along the roadways. As an avenue 

 tree it is not excelled for shade and grace. The seeds are planted in seed beds 

 and when the young plants are one year old they are transplanted to nursery 

 rows where they are allowed to remain three years. They are then "topped" 

 to the desired height and transplanted. The first year after transplanting they 

 need water, later they stand drought exceedingly well. If left in the nursery 

 rows until the trunks are 3 inches through, the three or four new branches 

 formed make a graceful crown. The tree has endured 28 degrees Fahrenheit or 

 possibly lower. The blossoms are sought by bees. The wood is of good quality. 

 It grows in poor limestone or rocky soils. This one tree has transformed the 

 roadways about Cairo into most beautiful shady avenues. For Southern Cali- 

 fornia and Florida. A more extended account will appear in Circular No. 33 of 

 the Division of Botany. 



3989. Cyperus laevigatus. 



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

 308), December 28, 1899. 

 "Sedge from which Egyptian mats are made. The plant is used in reclaiming 

 salt marshes and the leaves are utilized for mat manufacture. The seeds are 

 broadcasted in beds, well watered, and after 50 days transplanted 1 foot apart 

 each way. The plants must have their roots always covered with water. It is 

 perennial, 9 to 13 feet high, with stems i-inch in diameter. There are many cul- 

 tivated varieties." 



3990. Cucumis chate. Salad cucumber. 



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

 309), December 28, 1899. 

 ' ' Salad cucumber, grown very extensively in Egypt, as it ripens fruit for the 

 table 20 days earlier than the ordinary cucumber and is a heavier producer. 

 The fruits are long, horned-shaped, and of delicate flavor. They are more suc- 

 culent than ordinary cucumbers, according to Mr. Geo. Bonaparte, of the Gizeh 

 Agricultural College near Cairo. The young fruits are pickled." 



