92 



Tinantia is nearly allied to the Spider Wort but the flowers have 

 long-stalks on the branches of a long-stalked inflorescence. 



Campelia has white petals not deciduous, the sepals became succulent 

 enclosing the seed-vessel. 



The following are the general characters of the Family. 

 COMMEL1NACEAE. 



Flowers generally regular 

 Calyx and corolla each of 3 parts. 

 Stamens 6. 



Ovary 3 celled, superior. 



Capsule bursting at back of each cell, with one or a few seeds in each. 

 Herbs with narrow soft parallel- veined leaves. 



The following may serve as a key to the genera and species: — 



I. Stamens, 3 only containing pollen. 



COMMELINA. 



Flowers enclosed within a spathe 



1. C. nudiflora, Linn. Spathe simply folded. 



2. C. virginica, Linn. Spathe united below. 



II. Stamens all usually perfect. 



A. Flower enclosed between two equal spathes. 



Rhgeo. 



B. discolor, Hance. Stem short with long stiff narrow leaves crowded together 



Sepals and petals white. 



Zebrina. 



Z% pendula, Schnizl. Stem lying along ground or climbing. Petals pur- 

 plish-mauve. 



Campelia. 



C. Za^ona, H.B.K. A robust herb 2 to 4 feet high, with lance-shaped leaves 



6 inches long. Petals white. 



B. Flower not enclosed between spathes. 



Tivantia. 



T. fug ax, Scheidw. Flowers blue or purplish with loug stalks on the branches 

 of a long-stalked in florescence. 



Tradescantia. 



Flowers clustered on a short -stalked inflorescence. 



1. T. cordifolia, Sw. Stamens with filaments all about equal. Leaves small, 



not an inch long. 



2. T. multiflora, Sw. Stamens, with 3 filaments only half the length of the 



other three. Flowers not only terminal, but also from upper leaves. 



AMOUNT OF WATER NEEDED FOR 

 IRRIGATION.* 



Tne amount of water needed for irrigation varies within wide limits, 

 being affected by the climate, weather, kind of soil, variety of crop, 

 manner of application of the water, and by the character of cul ivation 

 which the field receives subsequent to irrigation. 



Let us first consider the amount needed for a single watering. This 

 must be determined by the amount of water the soil contains at the 



* Extract from " Irrigation in Humid Climates" by F. H. King. Farmers' 

 Bulletin No. 46, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



