64 



3974. Cucurbita pepo. Vegetable marrow. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 293), 

 December 28, 1899. 



A green variety. In Egypt the seeds are planted 2J inches deep, 2 seeds in a hill 

 on the sides of an irrigated embankment; the hills 3 by 5 feet apart. A small quan- 

 tity of pigeon manure is first buried in the hill and the seeds are planted above it. 

 This process is used for winter culture as the pigeon manure is heating. Plants 

 yield fruits beginning with the fortieth to fiftieth day for three and one-half months. 

 The fruits are stuffed with chopped meat and served. (Reprinted from Inventory 

 No. 6.) 



3975. Cucurbita pepo. Vegetable marrow. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 294), 

 December 28, 1899. 



An excellent white variety. For culture see No. 3974. (Reprinted from Inven- 

 tory No. 6.) 



3976. Capsicum annuum. Sweet pepper. 



From Cairo, Egypt, Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 295), 

 December 28, 1899. 



Thin-skinned, indigenous variety of sweet pepper, 2\ inches in diameter, and of 

 excellent flavor. Shape, flattened oblong. Plants 3 ieet high, perennial in a warm 

 country; will stand slight frosts. (Distributed.) (Reprinted from Inventory No. 6.) 



3977. Capsicum annuum. Red pepper. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 296), 

 December 28, 1899. 



A very hot red pepper, oblong in shape, 3 inches long, and bright red in color. 

 It is perennial, many seeded, and thin skinned. (Distributed.) (Reprinted from 

 Inventory No. 6. ) 



3978. Corchorus olitorius. Edible jute. 



From Cairo, Egypt, Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 297), December 28, 1899. 



Seeds sown and cultivated just like those of jute, broadcasted thick together in 

 beds. It is ready to cut in 40 to 50 days and may be cut twice. The dried leaves 

 are powdered and used for thickening soups, or chopped green, exposed to the sun 

 for a few hours, and then cooked, forming a very thick mucilaginous soup. It forms 

 a favorite dish of the Egyptian peasants, probably because of its cheapness. (Re- 

 printed from Inventory No. 6. ) 



3979. Hibiscus esculentus. Okra. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 298), December 28, 1899. 



A long-fruited, native Egyptian variety. According to Mr. G. Bonaparte, of the 

 Agricultural College of Gizeh, this is a more succulent sort than No. 3980. (Re- 

 printed from Inventory No. 6. ) 



3980. Hibiscus esculentus. Okra. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 299), December 28, 1899. 



"Short-fruited variety." Reported to be a heavier cropper than No. 3979. A 

 French seedsman has just ordered 200 tons of seed of this variety. Preferred by the 

 natives for drying purposes when young; very hardy. The young fruits, one-half 

 to three-quarters of an inch long, are strung on strings and dried. In this state they 

 are kept indefinitely. This variety is reported the best for this purpose. Sow 4 or 5 

 seeds in hills 1 foot apart, on ridges 2£ to 3 feet apart. Okra is often planted as a 

 mixed crop with cotton. (Reprinted from Inventory No. 6.) 



