JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1914. 41 



38881 and 38882— Continued. (Quoted notes by Mr. F. L. Rock- 

 wood.) 



38881. "No. 1. Kuruba amarilla, yellow kuruba, is a prolific bearer 

 and a standard fruit in the market of this capital. The fruits are 

 used in the same manner as strawberries for the table. It is a climb- 

 ing vine and has an attractive flower." 



38882. " No. 2. Kuruba indio, Indian kuruba. Its name is taken from 

 the frequency with which it is met around the huts of the Indians in 

 the Andes. A brilliant scarlet flower and green-colored fruit which 

 is liked by the Indians and eaten without any preparation. Seldom, 

 if ever, found in the market. These fruits are mixed with the yellow 

 when procuring them from the mountain by parties sent out for 

 them." 



38883 to 38887. 



From Esperanza, Sonora, Mexico. Presented by Mr. W. W. Mackie, 

 director. Yaqui Valley Experiment Station. Received July 22, 1914. 

 Quoted notes by Mr. Mackie, except as otherwise indicated. 

 " Gathered in Merv, Transcaspia, Turkestan, in 1911. These seeds came 

 from selections out of three years of crops, during which time I have had 

 them under observation. The climate for the first part of the year in the 

 Yaqui Valley is very similar to the summer of Turkestan, where I obtained 

 these seeds." 



38883. Beta vulgaris L. Chenopodiacese. Beet. 

 " The beets produced from these seeds are very vigorous, hardy, and 



drought resistant. The leaves are large and tender and are nmch 

 used for greens in Turkestan. The flesh is tender, sweet, and light red 

 in color. The root grows to an immense size and is eaten greedily by 

 stock. For three seasons this beet has regularly produced an abundance 

 of plump seeds of high viability in June from seeds planted in the preced- 

 ing fall. This seeding of beets the first year from seed sometimes occurs 

 at intervals in individuals when subjected to drought and again irri- 

 gated, thus starting a new or second growth, but this Turkestan beet 

 produces seed from every beet regularly in June." 



38884. CucuKBiTA pepo L. Cucurbitacese. Pumpkin. 

 " Grown for three years at the experiment station at Merv. When 



planted in March immense crops were produced in June. With the begin- 

 ning of the rainy season in July another crop is planted, producing fine 

 crops in December. The soil is a dark-red clay. Other pumpkins do not 

 produce such good crops, nor do they so well withstand the heat and 

 drought. The rind is hard and greenish in color. It is a good keeper, 

 lasting for months in this warm climate." 



38885. HoRDETTM VULGARE PALLIDUM Seriugc. PoacesB. Barley. 

 " White Turkestan barley gathered in Merv, Transcaspia, Turkestan, in 



1911. ' The barley itself is of the 6-rowed nutans type and has a marked 

 flesh-colored aleurone layer, such as is characteristic of barleys of Asiatic 

 origin ; in fact the flesh-colored appearance is more pronounced than we 

 have ever noticed in any similar barley before. This barley really is 

 strange to us. It is irregular in size and form and has a very low albu- 

 men content ' (due no doubt to the skinning off of the germ or embryo 

 by too close thrashing). ' The taste and flavor are remarkably agreeable. 

 If any of this barley is malted, we should be pleased to receive a 5-pound 



