168 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



7781. Capsicum annuum. Red pepper. 

 From Los Angeles, Cal. Received October 26, 1901, from Mr. Elmer Stearns. 



" From seed in mixed spices from Japan." (Stearns.) 



7782. Capsicum annuum. Red pepper. 



From Los Angeles, Cal. Received October 26, 1901, through Mi. Elmer Stearns. 



"Originally from Juarez, Mexico. Forms a bush nearly 4 feei high, with pep- 

 pers erect instead of hanging." (Stearns.) 



7783. Capsicum annuum. Red pepper. 



From Los Angeles, Cal. Received October 26, 1901, through Mr. Elmer Stearns. 

 " Originally from Juarez, Mexico." (Stearns.) 



7784. Hedysarum coronarium. Sulla. 



From Malta. Received through Mr. D. G. Fairchild (No. 688, May 22, 1901) , July 

 23, 1901. 



Gozzo. "An early ripening variety of sulla from the little island of Gozzo, near 

 Malta. This is said to be superior to the kind grown on Malta in seasons when 

 spring rains are scanty, as it matures properly, while the Malta variety fails to ripen 

 well. In seasons of abundant spring rainfall it is not economical, because it matures 

 too soon. The seed in the seed pod is used in Malta, and it was not possible to get 

 cleaned or decorticated seed. According to the literature, sulla should be planted in 

 deep soil. This variety forms the principal fodder and soiling crop of an island 

 where soil is not much over 6 to 8 inches deep on a bed of calcareous rock. It is 

 sown here in July and August on the wheat or barley stubble and allowed to 

 ' scorch ' in the burning sun until the September or October rains begin to mature 

 it, as they say. (The use of a seed scratcher might make quick germination possible 

 and probably largely increase the stand.) It is cut here only when in full bloom, 

 for, if left to stand, the leaves fall. The yield per acre is unusual. Some growers 

 report 40 to 90 tons of green fodder, but no definite information on this point was 

 obtained. It is the great green cover crop of Malta, and a rotation of wheat or oats 

 and sulla is very common here. Everywhere the fields are filled with big stacks of 

 the bundles of this plant. In some countries the seed is immersed for five minutes 

 in hot water to hasten germination. The fleshy roots are often dug by peasants 

 and fed to the hogs or horses. They are full of starch and sugar. The root tubercles 

 are rather small and delicate, but very numerous. Attempts to cultivate the specific 

 germ of these tubercles are being made from dried roots sent to Dr. George T. Moore 

 from Malta. ' ' ( Fairchild. ) 



7785. Triticum durum. Wheat. 



From Yesoul-Benian, Algeria. Received through Messrs. D. G. Fairchild and 

 C. S. Scofield (No. 723, June 20, 1901), November 6, 1901. 



Pelissier. "This wheat, which is one of the best varieties of macaroni wheats 

 grown in Algeria, is said to have been originated by selection from native Algerian 

 durum wheats by a Mr. Pelissier, at Pont de l'Isser, a small town in western Oran. 

 From there it was introduced into the western part of the province of Algiers. 

 Mr. Paul Chalvin, of Yesoul-Benian, received a small quantity of seed from Doctor 

 Trabut, botanist of the Government of Algeria, and by a rough en masse selection 

 he has kept it almost pure. The variety under the name Pelissier is better known 

 in the province of Algiers than in that of Oran, where it is said to have originated; 

 in fact, we found no one growing it, even in Mr. Pelissier' s neighborhood. Mr. 

 Chalvin, from whom this seed was bought, sells his whole crop for seed purposes, 

 and has practiced for four years a selection of the best ears. These are collected by 

 his Aral) foreman and thrashed by hand. About 200 kilos of this selected grain are 

 sown, and the process is repeated every year. Last year this selection was not done. 

 This wheat sent is about four generations from such selection. Mr. Chalvin believes 

 the field from which it was taken will produce about 45 bushels per acre. At the 

 Paris Exposition Mr. Chalvin took a gold medal on a sheaf of this wheat. Owing to 

 its hardiness, vigorous growth, and large yield, this wheat is gradually replacing all 

 other sorts in the vicinity of VesouLBenian, and at Doctor Trabut's botanical 

 experiment station at Roulba, Algiers, it lias ranked among the best in yielding 



