PLANT INTRODUCTIONS. 



Experimenters will please read carefully this introductory 

 note before sending in their requests for plant material. 



This, the" Tv,'enty-sixth Annual List of Plant Introductions, contains descrip- 

 tions of iiany new and rare plants, not yet widely tested in this country. The avail- 

 able information concerning some of them is meager, and it is therefore impossible to 

 speak with assurance regarding their value, their cultural requirements, and thetf 

 adaptability to the various climates and soils of the "United States, . ^ - 



These plants have been imported because it is believed some direct or indirect 

 use can be made of them. They are first placed at the disposal of the experts en- 

 gaged in plant breeding, crop acclimatization, and horticultural investigations gen- 

 erally in the United States Department of Agriculture and the State Experiment Sta- 

 tions. Some of them have been grown in sufficient quantity, however, sc that they 

 can be distributed to some private experimenters who have the facilities to test them 

 carefully. The List is therefore sent to those who have qualified as experimenters 

 with the Division of Plant Exploration and Introduction, and v/ho have indicated a 

 willingness to care for material sent them. 



Accompanying this Annual List are complete Check Lists showing all plants 

 available for distribution at the several Plant Introduction Gardens during the season 

 1S37-8 and the Garden from which available. Applicants for material shoulri fill 

 out all blanks at the top of the Check List of each garden from which they request 

 plants, place a mark to the left of the P. I. (Plant Introduction) number of each 

 plant desired, and return the lists promptly to this Division. Items marked with an 

 asterisk (*) are available in somev/hat larger numbers, for propagating purposes, to 

 interested nurserymen having exceptional facilities. 



It should be distinctly understood that the Division does not agree to supply 

 all the plants requested. It reserves the right to limit the number or to withhold 

 the entire request of any experimenter in order that it may place the material ac- 

 cording to its best judgment. 



The shipping season extends, as a rule, from December 1 to April 1, or not 

 later than April 15. While it may not always be practicable to ship plants at the 

 time preferred by experimenters, it is much desired that when such preference exists 

 it be indicated in the space provided for it at the head of the Check List. 



These plants are pieced in the hands of experimenters vyith the under st a ndin g 

 that reports on their be havior will be sent to this Division from time to time, par- 

 ticularly noting their flov/ering, fruiting, hardiness, utilization, and any other 

 interesting features. Reports should be prepared (preferably, but not necessarily, on 

 regular forms) and sent, v/i tho ut special request , whenever in the judgment of the ex- 

 perimenter the plant has reached a stage that makes a report worth while; usually, 

 however, unless the plant has flowered or died, reports need not be made within the 

 first year or two. Regular report forms will be furnished by this Division, upon 

 request. '//hen all the plants of any P. I. number have died, this should be reported 

 promptly by letter, with the cause of death indicated when known. I_t. is ex pected that 

 experimenters will kgep the ir plants labeled at all times, and keep accurat e c harts 

 shc-.ving the location and P^_I^ UliS^lI 2t §.^Qh one . Fa ilure to comply with these d irec - 

 tions will be considered sufficient reason for a discontin uance of the cooper ative 

 relation. 



