66 



3986. Citrullus colocynthis. Colocynth. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 305 ) , 

 December 28, 1899. 



Cultivated like other gourds. It has medicinal properties, but the reason for 

 introducing it at the present time is as a moth preventive. In Egypt the dried 

 fruits are crushed to powder, mixed in the proportion of 2 to 1 with black pepper, 

 and spread over clothing to prevent moths from eating it. As it has no odor, this 

 preventive is worthy of consideration. The seeds and fruits are extremely bitter 

 and poisonous. (Reprinted from Inventory No. 6.) 



3987. Vicia faba. Broad bean. 



From Cairo, Egypt. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 306), 

 December 28, 1899. 



A red-seeded variety of Egyptian origin. Planted here two seeds in a hill, 12 

 inches apart, in November. It fruits in five months. The young pods and seeds 

 are cooked and eaten. The beans mature dry and are cooked. This variety does 

 better here than the imported European sorts. (Reprinted from Inventory No. 6.) 

 Distributed. 



3988. Albizzia lebbek. Lebbek. 



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

 307) , December 28, 1899. 



The Lebbek is altogether the most beautiful shade tree that is extensively planted 

 in Egypt. It was introduced from the East Indies previous to 1807, and hundreds 

 of thousands are now planted along the roadways. As an avenue tree it is not 

 excelled for shade and grace. The seeds are planted in seed beds and when the 

 young plants are 1 year old they are transplanted to nursery rows, where they are 

 allowed to remain three years. They are then ' ' topped ' ' to the desired height and 

 transplanted. The first year after transplanting they need water, later they stand 

 drought exceedingly well. If left in the nursery rows until the trunks are 3 inches 

 through, the three or four new branches formed make a graceful crown. The tree 

 has endured 28° F. , or possibly lower. The blossoms are sought by bees. The wood 

 is of good quality. It grows in poor-limestone or rocky soils. This one tree has 

 transformed the roadways about Cairo into most beautiful shady avenues. For 

 southern California and Florida. A more extended account may be found in Circu- 

 lar No. 23 of the Division of Botany. (Reprinted from Inventory No. 6. ) 



3989. Cyperus laevigatas. 



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

 308), December 28, 1899. 



Sedge from which Egyptian mats are made. The plant is used in reclaiming salt 

 marshes and the leaves are utilized for mat manufacture. The seeds are broadcasted 

 in beds, well watered, and after fifty days transplanted 1 foot apart each way. The 

 plants must have their roots always covered with water. It is perennial, 9 to 13 feet 

 high, with stems one-half inch in diameter. There are many cultivated varieties. 

 (Reprinted from Inventory No. 6.) 



3990. Cucumis chate. Salad cucumber. 



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

 309), December 28, 1899. 



Salad cucumber, grown very extensively in Egypt, as it ripens fruit for the table 

 twenty days earlier than the ordinary cucumber and is a heavier producer. The 

 fruits are long, horn-shaped, and of delicate flavor. They are more succulent than 

 ordinary cucumbers, according to Mr. George Bonaparte, of the Gizeh Agricultural 

 College, near Cairo. The young fruits are pickled. (Reprinted from Inventory 

 No. 6.) 



