JANUAKY 1 TO MARCH 31, 1921. 



15 



52358 to 52361— Continued. 



52359. LixuM geandiflorum Desf. 

 Variety ruhrum. 



"An erect, branching plant, 25 inches high, native to Algeria. The 

 bluish green leaves are darker than those of Linum usitatissimum, and 

 the plant is also later and less determinate in its blooming period; the 

 flowers are much larger and of a deep-red color." C. Brins- 



made, jr.) 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 38972. 



52360. Linum mueixeri Moris. 



A plant li feet high, with shrubby branching stem, found in hilly 

 grazing lands in Sardinia. The green glabrous leaves have revolute 

 margins; the lower are elliptic, the upper linear-lanceolate. The yellow 

 flowers are in lax terminal panicles. (Adapted from Moris, Flora 

 Sardoa, vol. 1, p. 358.) 



52361. Linum usitatissimum L. 



A form introduced for flax investigations. 



For previous introduction, see S. P. I. No. 50160. 



52362. Crataegus azarolus L. Malaceae. Hawthorn. 



From Cefalu, Sicily, Italy. Seeds presented by Signor Salvatore Scalco, 

 through E. M. Byrnes, assistant in charge, Experimental Gardens and 

 Grounds, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 

 Received January 24, 1921. 

 Among the species of Crataegus one of the most important is C. azarolus, 

 with its numerous varieties and races. This is a shrub of the calcareous 

 hills and grows only on very dry lands. If undisturbed, it grows as high as 

 13 to 16 feet, but its branches are generally hacked off for fuel by Arab women 

 or mutilated by heavy stones thrown by the boys to shake down the fruit. 

 Some varieties of C. azarolus have fruits as large as a large cherry, with a 

 very agreeable acid taste. Although they are sold on the markets of the Orient, 

 they would not be marketable in Europe or America because of the large 

 stones; but specimens are often found which are nearly stoneless, and it is 

 possible that this character could be fixed by selection. For 15 years or more 

 the writer has used C. azarolus as a stock for pears with excellent results. 

 Top grafted, at 2 to 3 feet above the ground, it develops into a very beautiful, 

 productive, and long-lived dwarf tree, provided the grafting is done with a 

 very early variety. This shrub occurs in extremely Hot, dry places, and must 

 therefore complete the greater part of its development early in the season. 

 Its roots therefore are unable to furnish the amount of sap necessary to de- 

 velop pears in August. If, however, it is grafted with a pear which fruits in 

 May or June, w^hen the roots of the Crataegus are in their period of greatest 

 activity, the best results are obtained. The writer speaks only of pears because 

 he has experimented with them, but he sees no reason a priori why these 

 stocks should not do as well for apples, which he has not as yet tried. (Adapted 

 from Aaronsohn, Agricultural and Botanical Explorations in Palestine, Bureau 

 of Plant Industry Bulletin Xo. ISO, pp. 15-lC.) 

 For previous introduction, see S. P. I. Xos. 48516 and 48517. 



