54 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



55510 to 55515— Continued. 



55515. Queen of the Valley. The vines are large and unusually vigorous, 

 resisting disease well ; the leaves are large, thick, and dark green. 

 The very large tubers are long-flattened, but because of their large 

 size are less suitable for table use than for feeding livestock. 

 (Adapted from Potato Catalogue of B. K. Bliss & Sons, 1881, p. 9.) 



55516. Feagaria sp. Rosacese. Strawberry. 



From Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. Plants sent by Juan Lopez Com- 

 aremy, Irapuato, at the request of Arthur Stockdale, Mexico City. Re- 

 ceived June 20, 1922. 



For previous introduction and description, see S. P. I. No. 54976. 



55517 to 55519. Medtcago sativa L. Fabaceas. Alfalfa. 



From Lima, Peru. Seeds presented by Dr. W. E. Dunn, acting commercial 

 attache. Received May 10, 1922. 



Peruvian alfalfa has proved of great value in certain parts of the United 

 States. In the hope of securing new strains which may be superior in certain 

 respects to any now grown in the United States, an effort is being made to 

 obtain seed from as many different regions in Peru as possible. The following 

 note is taken from H. L. Westover, The Development of the Peruvian Alfalfa 

 Industry in the United States, Department Circular 93 : 



"As compared with common alfalfa, both the Peruvian and ' smooth Peru- 

 vian ' alfalfas are more upright, less branched, and have fewer and somewhat 

 coarser stems and smaller crowns. In thick stands, these differences are hardly 

 noticeable. Most of the Peruvian introductions are also characterized by 

 rapid growth, quick recovery after cutting, and in sections having a mild 

 climate ability to make growth in cool weather after ordinary alfalfas have 

 ceased growing. Under such conditions the former starts growth earlier in 

 the spring and continues later in the fall, thereby giving more cuttings each 

 season. The principal objection advanced in times past to these alfalfas is 

 their tendency to become somewhat woody when allowed to stand beyond the 

 flowering stage, but this difficulty is easily obviated by harvesting earlier. 



" Lack of hardiness will always confine the successful production of the true 

 and smooth Peruvian alfalfas to the southern and southwestern portions of the 

 United States, where the climatic conditions are comparatively mild. They 

 can not be grown to advantage where the winter temperature falls below 10° F. 



"At the present time most of the Peruvian and smooth Peruvian alfalfa in 

 the United States is found in Arizona and California. It has also been grown 

 to a limited extent in New Mexico, Texas, and the coastal regions of the South- 

 eastern States. The results secured seem to indicate that in much of this 

 region the common alfalfa could be replaced very profitablv by Peruvian 

 alfalfa." 



55517. Monsefu Xortc. 55519. Sierra Alia. 



55518. Quebrada de Tangas. 



55520 to 55547. 



From Ariana. near Tunis, Africa. Seeds presented by F. Boeuf. chief. 

 Botanical Service of Tunis. Received May 31, 1922. 



55520 to 55524. Avena sterit.is L. Poace:o. Oats. 



55520. Crime. 55523. Xnire. 



55521. Grise. 55524. Roussc. 



55522. Hybrid c. 



55525 to 55527. Hordeitm vulgaee pallidum Scringe. Poacea?. Barley. 



55525. Fourragere. 55527. Commune J. 



55526. Commune A. 



