SEPTEMBER, 1900, TO DECEMBER, 1903. 151 



sorts grown in that vicinity. It is ordinarily sown here in November and ripens 

 early in June, but it is worth trying as a spring wheat in the northern United States. 

 The sample obtained is from the farm of M. J. Labouresse, of Tessala, near Sidi-bel- 

 Abbes, which latter is one of the noted wheat growing districts of Algeria, possessing 

 a light rich soil." (Fairchild and Scofield.) 



7580. Triticum durum. Wheat. 



From Batna, Constantine, Algeria. Received through Messrs. D. G. Fairchild 

 and C. S. Scofield (No. 729), September 26, 1901. 



Adjini. "This wheat is from stock grown by the Arabs on the rolling lands of 

 the Aures Mountains, east of Batna, where the summer temperature often reaches 

 100° F. and where it frequently drops to zero in winter. It is a variety highly 

 spoken of by the macaroni manufacturers of Marseille, and, although rapidly dete- 

 riorating in quality, when cultivated there, has given very good yields when grown 

 without irrigation on lower lands of the high plateau of the province of Constantine. 

 The soil on these lands is excessively rich in sulphate of magnesia and is of a hard 

 and gravelly nature. Although a winter wheat in Batna, being sown in December 

 or January and harvested early in July, it will be worth a trial in the spring- wheat 

 region. The seed obtained is from Arab growers, whose methods of culture are very 

 primitive, and the Department is indebted to Mr. G. Ryf, manager of the Geneva 

 Society of Setif, for its purchase from them." (Fairchild and Scofield.) 



7581. Triticum durum. Wheat. 



From El-Outava, Constantine, Algeria. Received through Messrs. D. G. Fair- 

 child and C. S. Scofield (No. 730), September 26, 1901. 



Kahla. "This w r heat will be found to differ from the Kahla, No. 7794, of the 

 high plateau region, as it comes from plants grown by irrigation on the somewhat 

 salty sands of the northern Sahara Desert. It is one of the few sorts of wheats that 

 maintain their good quality when grown year after year in slightly alkaline soils. 

 It is highly valued by the Arabs for its rich content of elastic gluten. It is grown 

 on land that probably has at least 5 per cent of salt in it and the irrigation water 

 itself with which the plants are irrigated is slightly salty, not so salty, however, as 

 to be quite undrinkable. The wheat is planted in El-Outaya in December or January, 

 but it might be worth trying as a spring wheat in the North. This seed is from the 

 farm of Mr. Charles des Places at El-Outaya. As a macaroni wheat its rank is not 

 known, but its ability to grow in alkaline soil makes it especially valuable for any 

 experiments in the irrigated salt lands of America. We were told that a change of 

 seed was especially beneficial on these salt lands. Quantities of wheat are brought 

 down from the neighboring mountains to plant on these salt lands. This change 

 of seed forbids the formation of any salt-resistant race, but does not change the 

 interest in these wheats for other salt lands." (Fairchild and Scofield.) 



7582. Triticum vulgare. Wheat. 



From El-Outava, Constantine, Algeria. Received through Messrs. D. G. Fair- 

 child and O.'S. Scofield (No. 731), September 26, 1901. 



Fretes. ' ' This variety, sometimes called Freitiss, is one of the few soft wheats grown 

 in Algeria. It is particularly noted for its early maturity and is often extensively 

 planted in the Sahara Desert in seasons when the winter rains occur so late that the 

 durum varieties usually grown would not have time to mature. When planted in 

 November, as it is in Algeria, at the same time with durum varieties, it is said to ripen 

 two months in advance of them. The seed obtained was grown on the rather salty 

 desert sands in the vicinity of El-Outaya, north of Biskra, and watered with some- 

 what alkaline but still drinkable irrigation water. The variety is said to have origi- 

 nated from a shipment of Russian wheat which was made into Algeria at the time of 

 a famine many years ago. Its early maturing qualities attracted attention, and it has 

 been cultivated in small quantities by the Arabs ever since. The seed obtained is 

 from the farm of Mr. Charles B. des Places." (Fairchild and Scofield.) 



7583. Hordeum tetrastichum. Barley. 



From El-Outava, Constantine, Algeria. Received through Messrs. D. G. Fair- 

 child and C. S. Scofield (No. 732), September 26, 1901. 



Beldi. "This and the following variety (No. 7584) are sorts planted on the saline 

 soils of the edge of the Sahara Desert. They are grown by irrigation, but the irriga- 



