which have been tried without success in one portion of the land pro- 

 vided new facts as to the method of cultivation and adaptability to 

 soils and climate are determined pointing to the possible success of the 

 crop in special regions possessing the requisite natural environment. 

 In such cases the endeavor to reestablish a decadent farming industry 

 may best be undertaken with the assistance of the trained workers of 

 the experiment stations. If these experimenters report favorably 

 in regard to new or little known vegetables, grains, and field crops, 

 a larger distribution can be made to bring the crop again to the atten- 

 tion of the farmer. 



Because of the increasing scope of the work, due to the numerous 

 seeds and plants procured, it is especially important that corre- 

 spondents retain the original number under which the seed is dis- 

 tributed. The report blanks will bear numbers corresponding to 

 those of the inventory. The information supplied b} r experimenters 

 will, by following this system, become easily accessible. 



The information given in regard to each of the following numbers 

 has been compiled mainly from notes supplied by the explorer or by 

 the person who donated or secured the seeds. We are especially 

 indebted to Mr. W. T. Swingle and Mr. D. G. Fairchild for the very 

 'full descriptive notes which accompany their importations. 



Jared G. Smith, 

 Chief, Section of Seed and Plant Introduction. 



Washington, D. C, January i, 1901. 



