41 



cut off to force the formation of surface roots, which are desirable for the successful 

 cultivation of the truffles. The holly oak is an evergreen, only adapted for cultiva- 

 tion in California and in the Southern States. (See No. 3026.) (10 pounds. ) 



3037. Cichokium intybus. Chicory. 



From France. Eeceived March, 1899. 



Large-rooted Brunswick. This is the chicory commonly used as a substitute for coffee. 

 This sort is also known as Belgian root. It attains a length of 12 to 14 inches and 2 

 inches in diameter, just below the crown. It has very deeply cut leaves, divided 

 like those of the dandelion. (For more extended account of this variety, see Bui. 

 19, Division of Botany, j 



3038. Cichorium intybus. Chicory. 



From France. Eeceived March, 1899. 



Large-rooted or coffee Magdebourg. The Magdebourg chicory differs from the 

 Brunswick (No. 3037) in having entire leaves which stand upright. It also has 

 larger and heavier roots, which sometimes weigh from 12 to 17 ounces. Both varie- 

 ties are sometimes used for salads in whiter. For this purpose the roots are forced 

 in the dark; they are either planted in soil up to within about one-half inch of the 

 crown, or are inserted through holes into a barrel of earth, the leaves being allowed 

 to expand freely in either case, but being blanched by darkness. 



3039. Quercus suber. Cork oak. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



"This is an Algerian cork oak which produces cork of excellent quality and of 

 unusual thickness. The cork oak is from 30 to 70 feet in height. It grows especially 

 on sandy soil, is able to thrive where the climate is very dry and where the soil is of 

 the poorest. The trees attain great age. The imports of cork into the United States 

 amounted to over $1,440,000 in 1898. It is quite possible thatthe culture of cork oak 

 might be profitable in some parts of California. It should also be tried in the sandy 

 regions of the Southern States. The trees commence to yield in Algeria when they 

 are about 20 years old. When they have attained a diameter of 18 inches they are 

 subjected to an operation called demascalage. The cork is sold when it attains a 

 thickness of from 1 to lj inches, which requires from six to fifteen years— about 

 nine years on an average. It is considered the most profitable to remove the bark 

 when about 1 inch thick. The Algerian barks are sold at from 40 to 150 francs per 

 100 kilos, which is about S3 to $10 per 100 pounds. In forests of cork oak a tree is 

 said to yield at the rate of about 2 to 5 cents per year, and the forest should yield 

 about §2 per year per acre." (Swingle.) 



3040. Tropaeolum tuberosum. Ysano. 



From France. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



A native of the higher mountain ranges of Peru and Bolivia. The tubers are eaten 

 as a vegetable. They are of a yellow color, striped with red. The tubers should be 

 planted in the open ground in April or May, about 20 inches apart in every direction. 

 They are not injured by frost if left in the ground, and should not be dug until late 

 in autumn. They are used extensively for food in Bolivia, The Ysaiio tubers are 

 often frozen after being boiled and are then considered delicious. They are sometimes 

 used in France for entrees. For this purpose they are prepared by being cut into 

 extremely thin slices and seasoned with salt, olive'oil, vinegar, and mustard. They 

 are also prepared as pickles. 



3041 to 3047. Citrullus vulgaris. Watermelons. 



From Canada. Grown from Russian seed at the London Insane Asylum, London, 

 Ontario, by Dr. R. M. Bucke, medical superintendent. Received April, 1899. 



3041. Yellow flesh. 



3042. First to mature. 



3043. From a melon weighing 33 1-4 pounds. 



3044. G'reen and white, striped, very sweet. 



3045. Winter melon. 



3046. White flesh. 



3047. Russian. 



