18 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



5572 to 5585. Leguminous forage plants. 



From Algeria. Presented by Doctor Trabut, Government Botanist of Algeria, 

 through Mr. W. T. Swingle. Received November 2, 1900. 



' ' This valuable collection comprises small amounts of the seed of a number of for- 

 age plants which are cultivated by Doctor Trabut at the Algerian experiment sta-^ 

 tion at Rouiba. Many of these were introduced into culture by Doctor Trabut, and 

 are now sent out of North Africa for the first time. Some of the plants occur in other 

 parts of the Mediterranean region, but in general the forms of these species found 

 growing in Algeria are more resistant to drought than those obtained elsewhere. 

 This has proved true of the common vetch from Tunis, the narrow-leaved lupine or 

 naturalized form of the Corsican lupine. All of these species are adapted for plant- 

 ing in autumn in the warmer regions of the South and Southwest. Unfortunately, 

 only a small amount of seed of these species could be obtained. It is hoped that 

 enough can be grown in this country to give a fair trial another year. There can be 

 no doubt that all of the native North African forage plants deserve a most careful 

 trial in the arid and semiarid regions on the Pacific slope. All of these are winter 

 crops and should be sown in early autumn, since at that time there is sufficient moist- 

 ure in the soil to enable the seed to germinate. The clhnate of North Africa is 

 very mild in winter, and probably most of these species would be injured by severe 

 frosts. They could, however, be grown hi spring in Washington State and Oregon, 

 Avhere the winter would probably prove too severe to permit of their being sown in 

 autumn. ' ' ( Swingle. ) 



5572. Victa calcakata. Vetch. 



" This vetch is native to the Mediterranean region. The seed of this par- 

 ticular sort was obtained at Boghar in Algeria where the climate is very 

 dry. This is one of the species introduced into culture by Doctor Trabut,'*' 



(Swingle. ) 



5573. Vicia htrta. Vetch. 



"This plant, which is usually considered to be a hairy form of Vicia lutea, 

 occurs very commonly in Algeria and has been introduced into cultivation 

 by Doctor Trabut. It reaches a height of 16 to 18 inches at the experiment 

 station at Rouiba. ' ' (Swingle. ) 



5574. Vicia fulgens. Scarlet vetch. 



' ' An Algerian vetch with handsome red flowers. It is an annual and grows 

 with extraordinary vigor, reaching a height of 6 to 8 feet and yielding an 

 abundance of excellent forage. Doctor Trabut, who introduced the species into 

 culture, reports that at the experiment station at Rouiba. near Algiers, it yields 

 40 tons of green fodder to the acre. The great drawback of this most promis- 

 ing vetch is that the pods when ripe snap open, especially under the influence 

 of hot winds, and scatter the seed, rendering its collection very difficult and 

 the seed in consequence high priced. It is sown in autumn before the first 

 rains in Algeria, either alone or with winter oats. It occasionally produces 

 seed abundantly. It is to be hoped that some region may be found in the 

 United States which has a sufficiently humid atmosphere during the ripening 

 period of the pods to prevent their scattering the seeds. It might be possible 

 to breed varieties which would hold the seed better. This vetch is niost likely 

 to succeed in the Southern States and on the Pacific slope." (Swingle. ) (See 

 Nos. 3825 and 4336, inventory No. 8. ) 



5575. Vicia sativa. Common vetch. 



"Doctor Trabut has been making comparative tests of all obtainable varieties 

 of the common vetch at the Algerian Experiment Station at Rouiba. The one 

 which proves best adapted to Algerian conditions is the present number, which 

 is from the dry regions of Tunis." (Swingle.) 



5576. Vicia bexgalexsis. Bengal vetch. 



"This name is given by the Kew Index as a synonym of V. nissoliana. _ It 

 is one of the best of the numerous species of vetch grown at the Algerian 

 Experiment Station at Rouiba. It somewhat resembles the scarlet vetch, 

 attaining a considerable height." (Swingle.) 



