APEIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1922. 9 



growth of strawberries (fresas) which are on sale throughout the year. A score 

 or more of venders frequent the railway station and offer the berries in small 

 baskets. The best berries are always carefully arranged on the top ; the lower 

 layers are apt to be small, if not decayed,' which shows that the Mexicans are 

 not far behind their northern brethren in the matter of preparing their wares 

 for sale. The elevation of Irapuato is 5,800 feet, the climate rather cool, sub- 

 tropical. I have not been able to learn the history of the Irapuato strawberry 

 fields ; probably the first plants were brought here by the Spaniards in relatively 

 recent times and are of European derivation. Only one variety seems to be 

 grown ; this is a rather small berry of excellent flavor. It is introduced into the 

 United States for study by our strawberry breeders and for possible use in 

 producing new forms by crossing." (Wilson Popenoe.) 



54977 and 54978. Ceratonia siliqua L. Cresalpiniacese. Carob. 



From Valencia, Spain. Pods presented by J. D. Wright. Received May 4, 

 1922. Quoted notes by Mr. Wright unless otherwise specified. 



" Carob pods obtained from ' Masia de Mompo,' the estate of Sr. Pelegrin Con- 

 tell, near Valencia, Spain, March 29, 1922." 



54977. " Matalafera. Pods of this quality are borne by Sr. Contell's best 

 trees, including his big tree ' El Capitan.' " 



54978. " Roches. The pods of this variety are very sweet, but are not 

 borne as abundantly as are those of the Matalafera" 



54979. Trefolium repens L. Fabacese. White clover. 



From Milan, Italy. Seeds purchased from Fratelli Ingegnoli. Received 

 April 5, 1922. 



" Ladino giant white clover. A forage plant of the first order, which will 

 grow in any soil capable of being irrigated. It lives for several years if new 

 seeds are sown occasionally. Four cuttings may be obtained, and it makes 

 better hay than other forage plants ; it is the best for fattening stock, and also 

 tends to increase the production of milk." (Fratelli Ingegnoli, Catalogue, 

 1922.) 



54980. Trifolium pratense L. Fabacese. Red clover. 



From Florence, Italy. Seeds obtained through W. Roderick Dorsey, 

 American consul. Received April 5, 1922. 



•' Medium red-clover seed produced in the vicinity of Bologna, Italy." 

 (Dorsey.) 



Introduced for experimental work by specialists of the Department of 

 Agriculture. 



54981. Solanum tuberosum L. Solanacese. Potato. 



From Cambridge, England. Tubers presented by Prof. R. H. Biff en, 

 School of Agriculture. Received April 7, 1922. 



" Edgecote Purple. This variety is introduced for the breeding experiments 

 being conducted by J. W. Lesley at Mills College in California. It bears pollen 

 quite freely, and' while it is susceptible to the wart disease, it appears to be 

 resistant to the mosaic and leaf-curl diseases. It is also known as the Wilt- 

 shire variety." (William Stuart.) 



54982. Nymphaea sp. Nymphseacese. Water lily. 



From Livingston, Guatemala. Plant purchased from Louis Bull, United 

 Fruit Co., through Harry Johnson, Hynes, Calif. Received April 11, 

 1922. 



" This grows in the quiet bays near Jocolo, Izabal, Guatemala, and in general 

 habit is similar to the gracilis type. The leaves have sinuate margins and red 

 purple lower surfaces. The white, sweet-scented, diurnal flowers are produced 

 in abundance throughout the year." (Johnson.) 



