54 



late autumn. It is probable that in the United States the cost of gathering the sumac 

 would prevent successful introduction of this culture. Plantations of sumac yield 

 from $30 to $40 worth of leaves per acre, and in addition about three-fourths of a ton 

 of fagots. ' ' ( Swingle. ) 



3140. Pistacia lentiscus. Mastic. 



From Naples, Italy. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



An evergreen shrub or small tree which grows abundantly about the Mediterranean. 

 An improved form yields a resinous substance called mastic on the island of Chios, and 

 is sometimes used as a stock on which to graft the pistache. In Algeria this plant, 

 there called lentisque, is used as a substitute for tanner's sumac (No. 3139), to which 

 it is somewhat related. The leaves contain 11 per cent of tannin, or only half as 

 much as those of sumac. (See Nos. 3111 and 3135.) 



3141. Cucurbita moschata. Summer squash. 



From Naples, Italy. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



Charles Naudin. " A beautiful sort, slightly climbing, with round, white-striped, 

 white-fleshed fruits and large silvery seeds." (Dammann.) 



3142. Cichorium intybus. Chicory. 



From Naples, Italy. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



Asparagus chicory. ' ' An excellent Italian variety, quite different from any other. 

 Leaves and stalks give a most wholesome and refreshing salad when cooked and 

 served cold." (Dammann.) 



3143. Cucumis melo. Muskmelon. 



From Naples, Italy. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



Cercola. "Oval, dark green, strongly netted, flesh white, sweet, and of tine flavor. 

 The fruits grow up to 8 to 10 pounds weight." (Dammann.) 



3144. SOLANUM MELONGENA. Eggplant. 



From Naples, Italy. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 

 Black Prince. " Pear-shaped, very early." (Dammann.) 



3145. Cucurbita pepo. Vegetable marrow. 



From Naples, Italy. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 

 Neapolitan Portmanteau green. (See No. 3132.) 



3146. Fceniculum vulgare. Fennel. 



From Naples, Italy. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



Morosini. A new variety of sweet fennel, said to be the largest, finest, and sweet- 

 est; very thick. Plant with fleshy overlapping leafstalks forming a kind of head, 

 which is bleached by being kept covered with earth. These plants and stalks have 

 a very pleasant, sweetish, aromatic taste, and are eaten raw for dessert in Italy. The 

 seed is usually sown in spring for a summer crop, and late in summer for the autumn 

 crop. It should be sown in rows 16 to 20 inches apart. Seedlings should be thinned 

 at the leafing of the plants to 5 or 6 inches apart in the row. As the plants grow 

 they must be earthed up to keep the stalks blanched. 



3147. Lycopersicum esculentum. Tomato. 



From Naples, Italy. Received through Mr. W. T. Swingle, May, 1899. 



King Humbert red. This is a well-known variety of tomato grown about Naples, 

 Italy. The fruits are bright red, about l\ inches thick by 1 inch wide, and are 

 especially valued because of their high flavor. They are used in making various 

 sauces and dressings for macaroni and for meats. 



