69 

 3290 to 3297. Hibiscus esculentus. Okra. 



From Algeria. Keceived through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. Donated by 

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



Dr. Trabut has made an extensive trial of a large number of named varieties of 

 okra. This vegetable is of great importance in the eastern and northern Mediterra- 

 nean regions. The varieties should be carefully tested in the South in comparison 

 with the best American varieties. 



3290. 



3291. Blanc Louisiana. White Louisiana. 



3292. Gombo a gros fruits. Large fruited okra. 



3293. Gombo nain vert hatif. Dwarf early green okra, 



3294. Sultan Giant de Roumaine. 



3295. Gombo d'Egypte. Egyptian gumbo. 



3296. Gombo nain ameliore. 



3297. Gombo a fruit rouge. 



3298. Hedera helix africana. Ivy. 



From Algeria. Keceived through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899, from the 

 Jardin d'Essai, Mustapha. 



A variety of the English ivy, for warm countries. 



3299. Lagenaria. Gourd. 



From Algeria. Given Mr. W. T. Swingle by an Arab proprietor at Blidah. 



Karet-el-Hhalm. A gourd attaining a length of 2 to 4 feet. The fruits are said to 

 be very good if cooked when from 8 to 10 inches long. (See No. 3171. ) 



3300. Ipomoea batatas. Sweet potato. 



From Blidah, Algeria. Keceived through Mr. W. T. Swingle, March, 1899. 



A new variety of sweet potato, originated from seed by M. Fontaine. This sort is 

 remarkable in having flesh which turns red when cooked. It is said to be of a 

 superior flavor. 



3300a. Ficus carica. Caprifig. 



From Algeria. Keceived through Mr. W. T. Swingle, April, 1899. Imported in 

 cooperation with the Division of Entomology. 



This number comprises several shipments of the winter generation of fruits 

 (mamme) of the caprifig, collected from the foothills of the mountains in Kabylia, 

 near Algiers. Care was taken to secure caprifigs which were matured and yet still 

 firm. Each caprifig was wrapped separately in tin foil, and then small packages were 

 made up and sent to Washington by mail. A number of different shipments were 

 made. As in the case of the trial shipments made in the spring of 1898 from Naples 

 to New York, it was found that caprifigs packed in this way arrived in America in 

 good condition, provided they were firm when picked. These caprifigs, upon their 

 receipt, were turned over to the Division of Entomology, and forwarded by the latter 

 to Mr. George C. Koeding, of Fresno, Cal., who received them in April, 1899, "the 

 first shipment of forty figs arriving April 6. The fruits received were cut down, placed 

 in open fruit jars, and these hung in a caprifig tree growing in the orchard, the tree 

 having been previously prepared for the insects by covering with sheeting. Five 

 other shipments were received between the date named and April 15, the greater part 

 of the fruits being handled in the manner described." (Eoeding. ) 



As a result of this importation, the caprifig insect (Blastophaga) became established 

 in caprifig trees in Mr. Koeding' s orchard. As has been demonstrated by Mr. Koed- 

 ing and Dr. Eisen, the presence of this insect is absolutely necessary to carry on the 

 culture of Smyrna figs on a commercial scale, since Smyrna figs require pollination 

 in order to set their fruit. Hand pollination, which has been practiced to some 

 extent in California by Mr. Koeding and Dr. Eisen, is altogether too expensive to be 

 feasible in commercial plantations. In the fig-producing regions of southern Italy, 

 Sicily, north Africa, Greece, and Asia Minor this pollination of the figs used for dry- 

 ing is accomplished through the agency of the Blastophaga, which lives in the caprifigs. 



