268 SEEDS AND PLANTS IMPORTED. 



9317. Opuntia ficus-indica. Prickly pear. 



From Taormina, Sicily. Received through Messrs. Lathrop and Fairchild (No. 

 1079, November 24, 1902), January 17, 1903. 



1 'A prickly pear which bears fruit containing comparatively few seeds. The vari- 

 ety is a white-fleshed one of medium size. The thallus is very spiny indeed, and 

 the fruit is covered with small spines. This sort is considered more delicious than 

 the ordinary kinds, and having but few seeds is in this respect entitled to the con- 

 sideration of growers. A comparatively small number of plants of this variety are 

 grown about Taormina, because the fruit is not a good market one, neither is it a 

 very heavy cropper, but as the starting point for a seedless-fruited cactus it should 

 appeal to any breeder of this very important and much neglected group of useful 

 plants. ' ' ( Fairchild. ) 



9318. Allium cepa. Onion. 



From Valencia, Spain. Received through Hon. R. M. Bartleman, United States 

 Consul, January 26, 1903. 



' ' This large, mild-flavored onion is a native of Denia and the whole Valencia 

 region. Attempts to grow these onions in other parts of Europe have not been suc- 

 cessful, as they generally lose their mild flavor after the first season. The size of the 

 onion is regulated by the farmers to suit the taste of the foreign buyers. Those 

 shipped to the United States are the largest grown, and those intended for British 

 markets the smallest. The seed is planted in beds from the middle of January until 

 the first week in February, and transplanted when sufficiently developed. When 

 large onions are desired, the plants are placed about 10 inches apart and plied with 

 fertilizers and large quantities of water. When smaller ones are desired the plants 

 are placed close together." {Bartleman.) 



C. C. Morse & Co., of Santa Clara, Cal., state that this onion is without doubt the 

 progenitor of Maule's " Prize Taker." 



9319. Prunus armeniaca. Apricot. 



From San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Received through Mr. G. Onderdonk, of Nur- 

 sery, Tex. , special agent of this Department, October, 1902. 



9320. Amygdalus persica. Peach. 



From San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Received through Mr. G. Onderdonk, of Nur- 

 sery, Tex., special agent of this Department, October, 1902. 



9321. Amygdalus persica. Peach. 



From Saltillo, Mexico. Received through Mr. G. Onderdonk, of Nursery, Tex., 

 special agent of this Department, October, 1902. 



9322. Medicago sativa. Alfalfa. 



From Tuggurt, Algeria. Received through Mr. Thomas H. Kearney, December 

 8, 1902. 



An alkali-resistant variety. Crop of 1902. 



9323. Medicago sativa. Alfalfa. 



From Tuggurt, Algeria. Received through Mr. Thomas H. Kearney, December 

 8, 1902. 



An alkali-resistant variety. Crop of 1901. 



9324. Triticum durum. Wheat. 



From Relizane, Algeria. Received through Mr. Thomas H. Kearney, December 

 8, 1902. 



Marouani. An alkali-resistant variety. 



