P R E F A C ]• 



One of the most important duties of an agricultural explorer is the 

 observation of methods of agriculture practiced in other countries, that 

 show promise of having value if transferred to parts of the United 

 States. Mr. David G. Fairchild has made some careful observations 

 upon Egyptian agriculture with reference to its adaptability to parts 

 of the irrigated Southwest, the accompanying article on berseem being 

 one of the results of this study. It is not to be expected that every 

 agricultural practice followed in Egypt can be bodily transferred to 

 the United States, but it seems probable that at least for certain con- 

 ditions this great Egyptian forage crop may prove of extreme value. 



Ernst A. Bessey, 

 Assistant in Charge of Seed and Plant Introduction, 

 Office of Seed and Plant Introduction. 



February 6, 1902. 



