70 



Caprifigs from which the insects are about to escape are tied upon rushes, or threaded 

 on a string, and are thrown up into the branches of the rig trees. The insects, upon 

 leaving the caprifigs, become dusted with pollen from a row of stamens which grow 

 just inside the mouth of the caprifig. They then enter the young figs on the tree in 

 which the chaplet of caprifigs has been hung, and in so doing carry in pollen and 

 fertilize the numerous flowers inside these young figs, thereby causing the crop to 

 set. The insect lives, however, only in the caprifig, and in order to carry on success- 

 fully the culture of drying figs it is necessary to have an orchard containing varieties 

 of the caprifig in which the insect can live throughout the year. These varieties of 

 caprifigs must furnish a succession of fruits all through the year, since if the caprifig 

 trees fail to produce fruits at any time of the year the Blastophaga dies for want of a 

 suitable breeding place. The Section of Seed and Plant Introduction is accordingly 

 making efforts to secure as many varieties of caprifigs as possible, so that the main- 

 tenance of the fig insect in California and other regions suitable for growing Smyrna 

 figs may be rendered certain. 



3301. Freylinia cestroides. 



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

 Jardin d'Essai, Mustapha. 



An ornamental vine from tropical Africa, 



3302. Haematoxylon (?) 



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

 A shade tree growing in the park at Blidah, Algeria. 



3303. Vitis acida. G-rape. 



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

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



A fine evergreen vine. Usually free from disease. Foliage of a rich green color; 

 ornamental. (See No. 3217.) 



3304. Cucumis melo. Muskmelon. 



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

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



Olive. 



3305. Cucumis melo. Muskmelon. 



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

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



This melon is from Tizi-Ouzou, in Kabilya. 



3306. Rubus rosifolius. Raspberry. 



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

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



This raspberry, said to be a native of the subtropical regions of Africa and Asia, 

 bears abundant, rather large fruits, which ripen early. Should be tried in the South- 

 ern States and in California. 



3307. Asparagus aetissimus. Asparagus. 



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

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



A Moroccan species, of little or no food value. 



3308. Schintjs terebinthifolius. Pepper tree. 



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

 Dr. Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria. 



