76 SEEDS AM" PLANTS IMPORTED. 



18302. Zea WAYS. ^ Corn. 



From Callao, Peru. Presented by Mr. C. B. Cisneros. Received March L2, L906. 



18303 to 18309. 



From Teheran, Persia. Presented by Mr. John Tyler, United states vice-consul- 

 general. Received March 23, L906. 



Seeds, as follows: 



18303. CUCOMIS mki.o. Muskmelon. 

 A white-skinned variety. 



18304. Cdcumis mklo. Muskmelon. 



Kharbuzzah. "This is thought to be a corruption of khar poozah, khar 



n ican in'.' a-- an' I | /all si mi it <>r nose, possibly on aceounl of its oblong shape. 



The highest quality of tliis kind is produced :it a village 16 miles north of 

 Ispahan, called Gurg Ab (Wolf Water), being irrigated with water impreg- 

 nated with alkaline element 4 . The flavor is agreeably sweet and pleasant, 



ami appro\eil by almost every individual taste. When ripe, however, on 



aceounl of the delicacy of the texture of the skiii and the crispnesB of the 



inner substance it can not he transported withoul damage from the place w here 



it is grown. It is -aid that the vibration caused to the ground by a horse 

 cantering within a few yards will split it up. ami that tn pierce it with a pili is 

 sufficient to make a circle of cracks. Such as are brought to Teheran, and 

 those taken to towns nearer the area of growth, are cul before they are ripe 

 and consequently lose much of their delicacy of flavor. The principal supply 

 for the Teheran market is produced from \- tn 30 miles away, and the fruits 

 are of various qualities, according to the soil and water supply. None are 

 grown in the immediate vieinit) of the city. The color of the Kharbuzzah in 

 the best qualities 18 a pale yellow, hut there are sonic nearly white or of a 

 cream color." I TyU r. \ 



18305. Cucomis mki.o. Muskmelon. 



T'll'ih,. (Desired . "In shape a spheroid, of a greenish tinge both inside 

 and out, although some are inclined to yellow. When good, their flavor is 

 plea-ant and rather sweet. If. however, they are deficient in sweetness, sugar 

 may he added with advantage. In this they differ from the Kharbuzzah, 

 which is not improved by sugar; in fact, many people eat it with pepper and 

 salt. Their average weight i- from I to5 pound-, and I do not think that I 

 have ever seen one that exceeded a hat man (•■/. pounds) " I TyU r.) 



18306. CucuMis mki.o. Muskmelon. 



nock < Little heat i. -'This variety resembles in shape, size, and flavor, 

 though not -" sweet, the Tdlabee. It is less delicate in texture, and if of a 



1 r quality is not much hotter than a Swede turnip; but as it is the first to 



come to market it finds considerable favor, if, however, it lacks sweetness 

 its flavor coalesces very well with pounded sugar." (Tyler.) 



18307. Cdcumis sattvtjs. Cucumber. 



Persian Khear. "A smooth-skinned variety about 5 or 6 inches in length, 

 and the larger 6 or 7 inches in circumference. They are crisp in texture and 

 pleasant to the taste. I think they are a little sweeter than ours, and conse- 

 quently preferred by the natives. These plants, both melons and cucumbers, 

 are planted on the margin of a trench with a hank about 4 feet wide when 

 quite dry for the plant to lie upon, for if the fruit comes in touch with the 

 irrigation water it brings on the rot." ( Tyler.) 



18308. Citrullus vilgaris. Watermelon. 



Andavdnah. "Probably a corruption of Hind-daneh, meaning Indian 

 grain or seed, partially confirming the common belief that it was originally 

 brought from India, although it has been extensively cultivated in Persia for 

 centuries. In some districts of eastern Persia it attains an immense size, 

 weighing upward of 100 pounds, hut in Teheran it rarely exceeds a third of 

 that weight. Being very cheap in price, it is looked upon as a generous addi- 

 tion to the diet of the poor." ( Tyler. ) 



106 



