SEPTEMBER, 1900, TO DECEMBER, 1903. 289 



elliptical, small to medium, usually one-half to five-eighths inch long by three-eighths 

 inch thick, sometimes larger. Flesh actually almost colorless, but appearing dark 

 on cutting open, because of the dark skin and colored layer immediately below it. 

 Skin rather tender; only very slightly, or not at all, astringent. Flesh quite firm, 

 juicy, and sweet, Seeds none or, if present, so tender that they are not noticeable 

 on chewing, having no hard coat. Bunches rather small, not over one-half pound, 

 with a pronounced shoulder, rather loose, and easy to spray. Except that it stains 

 the fingers and mouth, I consider this variety superior to Ok Uzium, No. 9578, and 

 Kishmish, No. 9576." (Bessey.) 



9580. Salsola arbuscula. 



From Chardjui, Russian Central Asia. Received through Mr. E. A. Bessey 

 from Mr. V. Paletzky, forester, of Chardjui (No. 194, October 3, 1902 ), 

 May 1, 1903. 



"This plant is one of the best sand binders in this region. It forms a large shrub, 

 or even small tree, 15 to 20 feet high. It grows without irrigation in sand in a very 

 hot regfon where no rain falls from April to November. In the winter it endures 

 severe cold. This plant can be propagated either by seed (sown from January to 

 March) or cuttings (also planted in early spring). In either case a stand of about 

 40 per cent is obtained. If grown along with Aristida pennata var. Karelini, No. 9582, 

 it seeds itself in the tufts of the latter, and soon is able to take care of its own dis- 

 semination . " ( Bessey . ) 



9581. Haloxylon ammodendron. 



From Chardjui, Russian Central Asia. Received through Mr. E. A. Bessey 

 from Mr. V. Paletzkv, forester, of Chardjui (No. 195, October 3, 1902), 

 May 1, 1903. 



"This plant often becomes a tree 20 to even 30 feet high, with a trunk 15 to 18 

 inches in diameter near the base. It requires a clay subsoil which holds some 

 moisture. It is very hard to establish, but when once started is valuable as a sand 

 binder. It will not endure salt." (Bessey.) 



9582. Aristida pennata var. karelini. 



From Chardjui, Russian Central Asia. Received through Mr. E. A. Bessev 

 from Mr. V. Paletzkv, forester, of Chardjui (No. 196, October 3, 1902), 

 May 1, 1903. 



"This grass, itself valuable as a sand binder, is especially valuable from the fact 

 that its tufts act as shelters in which the seeds of Salsola arbuscula (No. 9580) and Calli- 

 gonum sp. (Nos. 9583 to 9594) lodge and grow. Nearly every bunch of this grass w r ill 

 be found to have growing in it a young plant of Salsola or Calligonum. The seeds are 

 sown in holes in the sand and covered with sand by the workman's foot, or are 

 mixed at the rate of 1 pound to 200 or 300 pounds of sand and sown broadcast; the 

 former method is, however, preferable. It is sown in the hollows between the sand 

 dunes, and requires only one seeding, as the following year it reseeds itself." 

 I.) 



9583 to 9594. Calligonum sp. 



From Chardjui, Russian Central Asia. Received through Mr. E. A. Bessey 

 from Mr. V. Paletzky, forester, of Chardjui (No. 197, October 3, 1902)", 

 May 1, 1903. 



9583. Calligonum arboeescens and C. caput-medusae. 



"A mixture of these two species. These two are the best of the Calligo- 

 nums for sand-binding purposes. They form small trees. They are superior 

 to Salsola arbuscula in that when planted from seeds or from cuttings 90 per 

 cent grow, inferior in that they do not reseed themselves very well." 

 {Bessey.) (No. 197, October 3, 1902.) 



Additional species sent by Mr. Paletzky. 



9584. Calligonum acanthopterum, Borscz. var. setosa. 



