4fi 



Arizona. It forms an important food all over Chile and Peru. The plant is an 

 annual and should mature in five or six months at most. Plants in the Botanic Gar- 

 den of New York failed to seed. I believe for lack of altitude. 



"Several dishes are prepared and are relished by Europeans as well as Peruvians. 

 A drink called " chicha" is made from the ground seeds. This variety is not sup- 

 posed to possess any medicinal properties." {D. G, Fairchild.) (See No. 2931.) 



3074. Chenopodium quinoa. Quinoa. 



From Lima, Peru. Eeceived through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 125), 

 May, 1899. 



Quinua amarga. "The bitter quinoa is used as a medicine. Taken in doses of 

 100 grams two or three times a day, in capsules, as a remedy against catarrh. May 

 prove useful for crossing. " (B. G. Fairchild.) 



3075. Medicago satiya. Alfalfa. 



From Lima, Peru. Eeceived through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 126), 

 May, 1899. 



Omas. "This variety is said to be one of the best in Peru, and superior to any of 

 the Chilean sorts tested in comparison with it in Peru. It is longer lived than 

 Chilean. If cut seven times a year it will live five years, while Chilean dies within 

 three. Grown by irrigation here; matures for a new cutting in sixty days after mow- 

 ing. Try in California and Arizona. The California alfalfa came from Chilean seed. ' ' 

 (B. G. Fairchild.) 



3076. Capsicum annitum. Pepper. 



From Lima, Peru. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 121) , 

 May, 1899. 



Mirasol (Sunflower) Chile pepper. 



3077. Jtjglans nigra? Walnut. 



From Lima, Peru. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 127), 

 May, 1899. (25 seeds.) 



Nuez de nogal. ' ' This is said to be Juglan* n igra by Raimondi, but from the shape of 

 the nut I judge it to be quite a different species. It is a very large tree, and is found 

 near Lima, (At Surco, for example. ) The leaves are made into a tea and used as a 

 tonic. The outer rind boiled in water is made into a hair lotion to prevent the hair 

 from falling out. For dveing the rind is mixed with alum. The strong extract is 

 used with alum." (B. G. Fairchild. ) 



3078. Peosopis horrida. Algaroba. 



From Paita, Peru. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 128), 

 May, 1899. 



"A fodder tree of great value in Peru, growing in regions where it rains only once 

 in seven vears. Tender; should be planted in Arizona and in southern California." 

 (B. G. Fairchild.) 



"The tree producing these beans is of the locust family, grows to a height of 50 to 

 60 feet, and from 1 to 4 feet in diameter at base. It is the forest tree of this depart- 

 ment of Piura and grows from the coast to an altitude of 2,000 feet. In good soil, 

 not lacking root humidity, it produces two crops a year, the beans falling to the 

 ground when ripe or yellow. As a food for mules and asses it is superior to corn. 

 Cargo mules working the year round will eat 25 pounds daily and keep in good con- 

 dition; asses half that quantity. It is also fed to horses, but with grass, as it is a very 

 strong food. 



"The people on this hacienda are paid 5 cents (2£ cents, gold) for gathering 25 

 pounds. We store it in adobe houses, which, when filled, are hermetically closed, so 

 that not a particle of air can get in, for if this occurs it soon 'picars' (is eaten by 

 worms). After the harvest, and when there is a scarcity of forage, the algaroba is 

 sold at from 20 t<> 50 cents, gold, per arroba, depending on supply and demand. 



"To plant the seed it is simply a matter of covering the bean with earth and see- 

 ing that it does not lack humidity. The tree has a tap root. The natives say the 

 root is as long as the top. This is the case with small trees. In land which lacks 



